The Lower House on Wednesday night
gave final approval to a bill limiting wiretaps from criminal
investigations.
The bill, which had already received a green light from the
Senate on October 9 last year, passed with 147 votes in favour,
67 against and one abstention.
The legislation, drafted by centre-right Forza Italia (FI)
Senator Pierantonio Zanettin, sets a 45-day limit to wiretaps.
The limit can only be extended in cases in which it is
"absolutely indispensable" as part of investigative operations,
if it is justified by "specific and concrete elements", which
need to be motivated, according to the text.
The time limit does not concern terrorism and organized crime
probes.
Members of the centre-left opposition and the judiciary have
protested against the measure, saying it will affect
investigations into serious charges including murder and
gender-based violence.
"It is a very grave error because it cracks down in an
unprecedented way" on wiretaps used in investigations "into very
serious crimes like homicide", said the centre-left Democratic
Party (PD) whip in the justice commission, MP Federico Gianassi.
Deputy Justice Minister Francesco Paolo Sisto defended the
measure, explaining that it will "not limit in any way
investigative needs" since "wiretaps will be regularly ordered,
but will need stronger motivations".
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