Italian anti-terror law enacted
We live in a world gone mad.
Quote:
Italian anti-terror law enacted
The lower house of the Italian parliament has approved new measures to combat the threat of terrorist attack, which means they have become law.
The bill includes surveillance of the internet and phone networks and making it easier to detain suspects.
Those who hide their features from the public - including through wearing the Islamic burqa - also face punishment.
A number of Western countries have introduced extra measures after the London bombs this month.
The BBC's Jacky Rowland notes that explicit threats against Italy have appeared on a number of extremist websites.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has rejected the theory that Italy is being targeted due to its presence in Iraq, where it has 3,000 troops.
The government has indicated that it plans to start withdrawing those troops next year.
'Very satisfied'
Italy's upper house backed the bill on Friday.
The package of extra measures approved overwhelmingly by parliament includes:
doubling to 24 hours the time suspects can be kept in custody without charge
interrogating suspects without lawyers present
strengthening of measures to prevent terrorists from financing their operations
increasing penalties for carrying false documents
compiling lists of mobile phone users to help police investigating suspected terrorist crime
up to two years in prison and a 2,000 euro (£1,379 or $2,424) fine for anyone who purposely hides their features by covering their faces in public.
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