In an independent investigation into the expulsion of a Syrian citizen towards Syria, Milan investigators have discovered that it was a false sting operation engineered by the Sismi. The Sismi alerted the press and the national government that they had blocked a terrorist conspiracy to place two highly explosive bombs on the Milan metro during the Winter Olympics. Investigators have found that all of the evidence had been fabricated, and charges are expected to be pressed against Sismi agents and their "informant" in the near future.
It seems every second reported act or plan of terror in Europe was fake or an intel error. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
The Berlusconi government reduced statutory limits on most any crime that could be committed by the upper middle class, halving it for first time offenders. At the same time it passed many laws to hamper due process of law. Funds were cut off for the judiciary to further impede investigative action as well as trials.
The Prodi government then passed an "act of indulgence" that practically condones sentences of six years or less for all crimes committed before May 2006.
In both the Abu Omar case and the present Telecom spy case, many of the accused have partially or wholly admitted guilt, although in contradiction with each other. It will be up to the trial to determine their eventual guilt. But it is unlikely that a final sentence will be passed before the statue of limitations runs out.
In France we have "prescription" (for almost everything but genocide I believe), but most acts of justice do interrupt it and reset the counter.
Don't know about other systems in Europe & the USA. Anyone?
Often the timing of the crime becomes an issue such as in the case of Andreotti whose relation with the mafia was successfully argued as having terminated 19 years before the definitive sentence, therefore forcing the extinction of the crime in the final judgement. 19 years for three trials!
The prosecutor argued without success that Andreotti's collaboration with the mafia had continued after that period.
The solomonic sentence was issued only weeks after the statute of limitations had expired although the court had retired on the case months before.
