The Italian justice minister has initiated disciplinary proceedings against three judges who granted house arrest to a Russian businessman, Artem Uss, who was facing
extradition to the US. Uss had been charged with shipping oil from Venezuela in violation of sanctions, as well as bank fraud. Following the court's decision to transfer him to the US, Uss fled his home in Basiglio, on the outskirts of Milan, before the police could reach him.
The minister has accused the Milan appeals court judges of "gross and inexcusable negligence" for granting the suspect house arrest, despite the opposition of the Prosecutor General's Office. The National Association of Magistrates (ANM) and the association of Milan lawyers have both condemned Nordio's move, saying he is undermining the independence of the judiciary.
It is unusual for the government to intervene in technical decisions made by the judiciary, which is independent of the executive power. The government's handling of the case has been criticized, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to grant Uss house arrest. The case is expected to be reported to parliament on Thursday. Photo by Ruthven, Wikimedia commons.