Berlusconi party proposes slashing penalty for a mafia crime
Bill on 'external involvement in mafia association'
21 May, 13:55
(ANSA) - Rome, May 21 - A Senator for ex-premier Silvio
Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PdL) party on Tuesday presented
a bill that would slash the punishment for a form of mafia
collusion.The bill presented by PdL Senator Giacomo Caliendo to the Upper House's justice committee would reduce the maximum possible jail sentence for the crime of 'external involvement in mafia association' to five years.
At the moment this crime can be punished with a jail sentence of up to 12 years.
Marcello Dell'Utri, a former close aide of Berlusconi's and a former PdL Senator, is appealing to the supreme Court of Cassation against a seven-year conviction for this crime. The bill would also remove the possibility of prison sentences being handed to people found guilty of aiding people involved in a mafia association if no financial advantage was gained from this assistance.
The draft legislation would prevent prosecutors from wiretapping the conversations of people suspected of doing this too.
Dell'Utri is the former head of the media magnate's advertising arm who is credited with creating the three-time premier's first party, Forza Italia, in 1993, a year before it swept to victory in general elections.
photo: Senator Giacomo Caliendo
