Italy's Salvini investigated over use of state flights

FILE PHOTO: Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini gestures during a news conference after inaugurating a new police headquarters in the 'The Godfather' home town of Corleone in Sicily on the day Italy celebrates liberation from fascism, in Corleone, Sicily, Italy April 25, 2019. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has been put under investigation over possible misuse of state flights while campaigning for European elections at the head of his far-right League party, the Rome audit court said on Thursday.

Prosecutors opened the probe after newspaper la Repubblica said Salvini flew around 20 times for campaign events ahead of the European Parliament vote on May 26.