Italy's draft justice decree gives anti-mafia prosecutors authority in cases with minors
A cabinet-approved draft decree would extend the powers of the national anti-mafia and anti-terrorism prosecutor to investigations that involve under-18 suspects.
In a draft decree on justice approved by the Council of Ministers, the Italian government seeks to codify that the national anti-mafia and anti-terrorism prosecutor's powers also apply to proceedings involving minors. Article 3 explicitly states that the presence of under-18 suspects in organized-crime, terrorism or highly complex investigations will no longer create an operational vacuum. The amendment enables juvenile prosecutors to request support from magistrates of the Direzione nazionale antimafia e antiterrorismo, district anti-mafia directorates and specialized terrorism investigation offices, including those handling international terrorism.
By embedding the rule in law, the government intends to streamline information sharing and coordination between ordinary and juvenile justice branches, especially when cases intertwine adult and minor defendants across regions. The decree further amends the Codice antimafia to allow temporary deployment of specialized judges in sensitive juvenile matters, strengthening the link between regular and specialized investigative bodies.
