Italian Government Approves Anti-Terrorism Measures
The Italian government approved a package of anti-terrorism measures Friday that allows authorities to take DNA samples from suspects and makes it a crime to recruit and train people for terrorism.
Ministers of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s center-right coalition approved the measures with little criticism from the opposition.
The measures also will increase security on Italy’s transportation system, Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu said.
Internet threats, which could not be verified, have mentioned Italy as a possible target.
Previous threats have cited Italy’s support of the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
Pisanu said the measures, which were drawn up after the July 7 transit bombings in London, would make it a crime to train people to prepare or use explosives without government authorization and would allow authorities to collect saliva samples from suspects for DNA testing.
Authorities also will have the power to detain suspects without charges for as long as 24 hours, up from 12.
The measures will take effect as soon as they are signed by the president.
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