Attacks to Prevent Reform of Judiciary Says Nordio

Rome: Justice Minister Carlo Nordio addressed the Lower House on Wednesday in response to a motion of no-confidence filed by the centre-left opposition. Nordio stated that the attacks against him are aimed at preventing a reform of the judiciary. This reform seeks to separate the career paths of judges and prosecutors and change the election process for the judiciary’s self-governing body.

According to Ansa News Agency, the opposition’s criticisms have been intense, with accusations that the government bill, which recently became law, favors organized crime. Nordio described these claims as offensive and suggested they are part of a campaign to block the judicial reforms, including the election system for the Superior Council of Magistrates.

Nordio emphasized that despite the attacks from various fronts, including the judiciary, media, and parliament, the reform would proceed. He assured opposition lawmakers that no amount of hostility would deter the government’s efforts.

The Justice Minister also likened the opposition’s actions to an “inquisition,” accusing them of politicizing legal conflicts. This includes a complaint by Italia Viva lawmaker Roberto Giachetti regarding the justice minister’s role in suicides within overcrowded Italian prisons.

The centre-left opposition’s no-confidence motion stems from Nordio’s handling of the arrest and subsequent release of Libyan judicial police chief General Osama Almasri. Nordio refuted claims of delaying his response to Rome’s appeals court, which allowed Almasri’s release. He stated that the 48-hour period was necessary to comprehend the charges against Almasri, who was released due to errors in the ICC warrant.

Nordio explained that Almasri, accused of serious crimes at the Mitiga jail, was released because the ICC warrant was flawed. The opposition argues that his release was in Italy’s national interest, related to a 2017 scheme to curb migrant flows to Libya’s holding centers.