ROME, June 13: Over the objections of prosecutors and journalists, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Friday proposed strict curbs on the use of wiretaps in judicial investigations and stiffer penalties for the publication of their transcripts.

Berlusconi, himself a victim of wiretaps that have implicated him in a series of corruption scandals, won his centre-right government’s approval of a draft law that restricts the use of electronic spying to cases involving crimes punishable by more than 10 years. The previous threshold was five years.

Announcing the draft law after a cabinet meeting, Justice Minister Angelino Alfano said the use of wiretaps “has totally degenerated, and the citizens’ right to privacy is too often violated.” The proposed legislation is “balanced (and) in accordance with European norms,” he told a news conference.

Transcripts of incriminating wiretaps and bugging appear regularly in the Italian press, and although journalists could face jail sentences of up to 30 days for leaking them, they have to so far only been fined.

Under the new legislation, they would risk up to three years behind bars.

Berlusconi initially wanted to restrict the use of wiretaps to cases involving terrorism and the mafia. He forged a compromise after judges, the Italian left and even elements of the centre-right including his populist ally the Northern League raised objections.

The 10-year rule will have several exceptions, notably in cases of corruption, human trafficking and child pornography.

The government says more than 100,000 people are subject to electronic spying, more than in any other country.—AFP