21 October 2007

Justice at the end of the line

Today there was a severe blow to the credibility of the Institutions, to the Justice System, and even to this Government.
I respect a priori the judicial decisions taken by De Magistris, and also those taken by the General Prosecutor who transferred the investigation to a higher authority, as laid down in case there are motives of incompatibility.
De Magistris is in the position of one who is carrying out investigations, and at the same time, is under disciplinary measures because of people about whom he is carrying out judicial action.
The issue is not that of the measures taken by the General Prosecutor, but in the reasons that come before that, that brought it about. Because if it is true, and it is, that De Magistris has an ongoing investigation in relation to political personalities, including the President of the Council and the Minister of Justice himself, placing him under investigation should have been avoided.
Every time that a magistrate tries to shed light on behaviour that relates to the strong powers, his activity is examined under the microscope, to such a point that he himself is under investigation.
This is an expedient to delegitimise the magistracy and put them off the piste.
It’s an action that is set up in advance with the intention of blocking anyone who carries out an action in the criminal justice system.
The State based on the rule of law ends at that moment when the independence of the magistracy is undermined.
These are bitter words for me to say: this Government is arriving at the end of the line, from a political and judicial view point it has failed by ignoring the requests of the electorate for the rule of law.
The crafty thinking that has caused the “avocazione” {transfer to a higher authority} of De Magistris's investigation will be paid for dearly by the whole of the Centre Left.

Posted by Antonio Di Pietro in Justice