Police wiretappings down

The number of police wiretappings dropped to 4,500 in 2009 from 5,000 the previous years, according to figures published by the interior ministry. At the same time, the number of people shadowed increased by a third. The drop in wiretappings is being attributed to a 2008 amendment to the law which has made it more difficult for the police to tap someone’s phone. The interior ministry is not happy about the restriction. Only last month the ministers of interior and defence put forward a joint proposal for an amendment to the law which would allow the military police to wiretap suspect persons. At present only civilian police investigators have that right and the military police must request their cooperation in cases where wiretapping is considered essential.