ANM (National Magistrates Association) President Cesare Parodi stated on Radio Anch’io that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni “naturally assumed political responsibility” regarding the Almasri affair, emphasizing this differs from criminal liability. His comments followed Meloni’s objection to prosecutors closing her case while seeking authorization to proceed against ministers.
Parodi further suggested any trial indirectly involving ministers, such as potential proceedings against Justice Ministry Cabinet Chief Giusi Bartolozzi, would carry “evident political fallout” for those implicated.
Justice Minister Carlo Nordio expressed shock at Parodi’s remarks, calling the previously “balanced” ANM president’s citation of Bartolozzi – whose name Nordio claims isn’t in case files – deeply concerning. Nordio accused Parodi of potentially disclosing confidential information and labeled his comments an “improper and unacceptable invasion of institutional prerogatives.”
Meanwhile, +Europa Secretary Riccardo Magi (La Repubblica) criticized Meloni for avoiding parliamentary scrutiny: “How often did we summon her to explain freeing a torturer and rapist? She never came, sending Piantedosi and Nordio with that absurd report. Now she claims repatriating Almasri was agreed? It’s surreal. Meloni contradicts herself.”
Defending the PM, Noi Moderati Senator Mariastella Gelmini hailed Meloni’s “courageous post” exposing the “absurd” ministers’ tribunal inquiry. Gelmini asserted protecting national security – a decision for which the PM took “full responsibility” – was falsely framed as a “‘criminal design'” orchestrated by Ministers Nordio, Piantedosi, and Undersecretary Mantovano without Meloni’s knowledge. Excluding the Premier, Gelmini argued, backfired: “The result is the opposite… an unwarranted political inquiry whose only outcome is providing propagandistic fodder to an opposition devoid of arguments.”
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