International - Globescan   

Italy to free prisoners

Rome: Italian MPs on Thursday voted in favour of cutting the sentences of thousands of prisoners in an attempt to ease overcrowding. The measure would take three years off prison terms for crimes committed before May 2 this year, freeing an estimated 12,000 inmates. The bill was passed by more than two-thirds of MPs after Forza Italia, the Opposition party headed by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, agreed to support it because it includes pardons for white collar criminals. Opponents included former anti-corruption prosecutor and Infrastructure Minister Antonio di Pietro. He said it would be demoralising for prosecutors in corruption cases . He claimed the bill could help Mr. Berlusconi, who is to stand trial for alleged fraud at his TV network Mediaset.—

© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Hizbollah fires longer range rockets at Israel
Blair under pressure
Finland pulling out of Sri Lanka mission
Finland move prompted by LTTE
Fillip to Pakistan democracy push
Flying right on technology's edge
Discovery of Cuban oil triggers debate in U.S.
Israel: no phoney terror this
ARF's plea to N. Korea
Maoists extend ceasefire
Italy to free prisoners
An index of happiness
U.S. to impose sanctions on two Indian firms

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu