"A setback for democracy and freedom. With these reforms, we are getting closer and closer to North Africa, with all due respect for the region", said Nicola Gratteri, Chief Prosecutor of Napoli, in an interview with Il Fatto Quotidiano. His words are a harsh attack on the recent reforms of the Italian judicial system.
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Gratteri is particularly critical of the restriction on the use of Trojans, software that allows remote communications to be intercepted. “Not being able to use Trojans in investigations against the Public Administration, and in particular against corruption”, he says, “it is a serious obstacle to ascertaining the truth and an advantage for the centers of power and for those who live off corruption.”
Gags on journalists and extended investigation times
The Prosecutor also denounces the crackdown on freedom of the press, defining it as a “a trend that has been going on for years” the limitations imposed on the work of journalists. “The citizens”, he emphasizes, “they have the right to know what is happening in their territory in order to make informed choices.”
Among other critical issues, Gratteri highlights the lengthening of investigation times due to the new provisions on the seizure of smartphones and computers. “The authorization of the investigating judge will be required,” explains, “both for the seizure and for the cloning of the devices’ memory, with adversarial hearings significantly lengthening the times and making the magistrates’ workload more burdensome.”
Consequences: More difficult investigations and simple crimes privileged
According to Gratteri, the combination of these reforms, combined with the already approved Cartabia Law, makes “really complicated” the work of the investigators. “Only crimes that are easy to prove will be prosecuted”, he claims, “while it will be very difficult to counter those against the Public Administration.”
Gratteri’s words paint a worrying picture of the consequences that recent reforms could have on the Italian judicial system. His denunciation is a warning to think carefully about the implications of these changes and their impact on the fight against crime and corruption.
Article published on 21 April 2024 - 09:25
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