Italy’s National Anti-Mafia Prosecutor, Giovanni Melillo, addressed the Parliament’s Anti-Mafia Commission on Wednesday. He called the ongoing investigation into alleged snooping by a police officer “extremely serious.”
While acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Melillo also said the “extreme complexity” of managing sensitive data used in criminal investigations. He highlighted the need for “correct and rigorous management” of such databases to ensure effective law enforcement.
Melillo’s request to appear before the commission stemmed from an investigation in Perugia probing allegations that a tax police officer, Pasquale Striano, compiled dossiers on numerous high-profile figures. These individuals included politicians like Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and former Prime Ministers Giuseppe Conte and Matteo Renzi, as well as celebrities like rapper Fedez and soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I asked to be heard so that the facts and issues can be properly grasped and to ward off the danger of misinformation, speculation and instrumental readings of events concerning delicate state functions,” Melillo stated.
He further expressed concern about “outbursts of disordered polemics” that, in his view, aimed to undermine the trust in institutions like the National Anti-Mafia Prosecutor’s Office and the Bank of Italy, rather than seeking a genuine understanding of the situation.
Melillo emphasized the importance of evaluating the “adequacy of the current technological legislative instruments” and administrative practices to safeguard the confidentiality of sensitive information. He stressed the need to protect not only the information itself but also the individuals involved, both those potentially impacted by its misuse and those entrusted with its safeguarding.
Officer alleged to create illegal dossiers on public figures
The investigation alleges that Striano, while deployed at the National Anti-Mafia Prosecutor’s Department, accessed data on a wide range of public figures without authorisation. Prosecutors suspect that some of this information might have been used for journalistic purposes or passed on to private investigators, with potential personal motives of Striano also being considered.
While Striano stands at the centre of the investigation, Melillo expressed doubts about his solitary involvement, stating, “I believe there are many elements that conflict with the idea of an action conceived and organised by a single, supposedly unfaithful officer.” He added that understanding Striano’s personal and professional network will be crucial in the investigation’s progress.
Anti-mafia priest handed poisoned chalice
The case has drawn significant public attention, with 14 individuals, including journalists, currently under investigation. Melillo’s address before the commission aimed to provide clarity and address potential misinterpretations surrounding the case while highlighting the complexities at play.
