(Associated Press via NewsEdge) The Italian justice minister has ordered administrative checks to ascertain how wiretapping is carried out at Telecom Italia, amid a massive case of illicit data gathering involving a former official at Italy's largest phone company.
Justice Minister Clemente Mastella said that since wiretapping can be part of an investigation and a trial, it was necessary to ensure there are no further distortions.
'I hope there's nothing and I believe there will be nothing but it is fair that "&brkbar; I put my officials to work so that there is the maximum guarantee possible,' ANSA quoted Mastella as saying from Naples, in southern Italy.
Ministry officials stressed the checks did not amount to an investigation of Telecom Italia. It would entail ministry officials seeking information about the wiretapping procedures at Telecom Italia.
'I want to see how that activity is carried out,' Mastella was quoted as saying.
An investigation into an alleged spy ring has led to the arrest of 20 people, including former Telecom Italia chief of security Giuliano Tavaroli and Emanuele Cipriani, head of a private investigation agency in Florence.
Tavaroli is accused of leading the ring, which also allegedly involved police officials who were also arrested.
The suspects are accusing of spying on and gathering bank and legal data, as well as other sensitive information, on a wide-ranging number of businessmen, politicians and even sports figures.
The motives remained unclear, as was the final destination of the information.
The government passed a measure Friday that cracked down on wiretapping.
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