Nicola Gratteri defends wiretapping and calls for public party funding

Naples prosecutor Nicola Gratteri has advocated for a return to public financing for political parties and defended the use of wiretapping in criminal investigations. Speaking at the Festa del Fatto Quotidiano, Gratteri argued that wiretapping is a cost-effective tool for the state. He noted that while the Naples Prosecutor's Office spends approximately 5 million euros annually on wiretapping, these investigations often lead to significant seizures. He cited a specific case involving a hacker where the investigation resulted in the seizure of 150 million euros worth of Bitcoin.

Gratteri also addressed the Roggero case, involving a jeweler convicted of shooting two fleeing robbery suspects. He characterized the incident as an “execution” rather than self-defense, expressing concern over public opinion and political calls for clemency. He criticized politicians for seeking pardons for defendants before they have even begun serving their sentences or demonstrated remorse within the prison system.