Famed Italian Prosecutor Casson Discusses Turkish Legal Fight
Italian senator Felice Casson – who 20 years ago was one of the special Italian prosecutors instrumental in Italy’s arresting and prosecuting members of the clandestine shadow state “Operation Glabio” – has begun to watch a recent legal debate in Turkey.
In the past few years arrests by specially authorized national prosecutors in Turkey have reportedly begun to bring illegal clandestine government organizations such as the Ergenekon group to justice.
However, now the Turkish parliament is considering stopping the Special Authorized High Criminal Courts in Turkey. If closed supporters feel the mechanism to combat and prosecute illegal covert actions in Turkey will be severely limited, if not halted entirely.
In a recent interview Casson described his views on Turkey’s present legal debate. Said Casson, “In some cases we know that it is necessary to wire tap leading police officers and intelligence agents and even in some cases government ministers. And some of those individuals will need to be questioned. In these cases without specially authorized prosecutors there would be no other way for justice to get done.”
Casson was unwavering when it came to the most important characteristic of specially authorized prosecutors and judges. He said it was the judges and prosecutors independence from outside pressure. Casson emphasized that it is necessary that no one interferes with the actions of special prosecutors or Specially Authorized High Criminal Courts.
Casson believes that specially authorized prosecutors and courts are necessary in both Europe and Turkey. In order to work against organized criminal groups outside of and within the state, prosecutors must have special powers. As time goes by specially authorized prosecutors and police develop an effective way to treat sensitive, difficult cases.
Casson stated that he was closely watching the developing Ergenekon case in the Turkish courts. Casson believed that whoever is afraid of the truth coming out and justice being done will invariably try to limit the power of prosecutors and the press.
Casson stated that where prosecutors are not free then there will be no independence in the courts. Casson explained, “Those who criticize the special powers of prosecutors directing these cases state that they are not against judges having ‘special powers’ but these opponents ask why do prosecutors have to have special powers themselves. I don’t think this opinion has any sort of legitimacy. If a prosecutor doesn’t have special independent powers to put a case together then a specially authorized judge can’t make any sort of independent decision. If prosecutors are not independent then a case from its inception is broken and won’t be able to be realized regardless if the judge has special authorized powers.”
Casson pointed out a larger danger stating, “If the people of a country don’t believe judges are independent then the people’s entire belief is shaken in their legal system.”
The Glabio organization Casson prosecuted in Italy 20 years ago grew out of “stay behind” cells of rightist fascist sympathizers who were drafted into working with the British MI6 and the CIA as safe guards against left wing communists in Western Europe.
Glabio organizations eventually implemented an illegal “shadow state” and perpetrated terrorist activities against innocent civilians throughout Western Europe. Glabio organizations were able to stage fake “terrorist attacks” with the goal of blaming left wing activists for the attacks and thus turning Western European public opinion against left leaning parties and leaders. Glabio also began to work with the Italian Mafia and became involved in Coup D’états as well as illegal drug activities.
In 1990 the activities of Glabio were exposed by special prosecutors first in Italy and then throughout Western Europe.
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