In Italy, the independence and autonomy of the judges is unassailable

Roberto Castelli Justice Minister

Justice Minister Roberto Castelli said that even if politicians wanted to meddle, the independence and autonomy of judges was so deeply rooted in Italy's "judicial culture" to render any such attempts impossible.

A preliminary report from the UN released on Thursday said judges and prosecutors had "reasonable cause" to feel their independence was being threatened by leading politicians.

The report, by special rapporteur Param Cumaraswamy, especially highlighted the continual delays in the corruption trials of the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, calling them detrimental to the integrity of the justice system.

Government control

Berlusconi's trial has been delayed many times

Judges in Italy have accused the government of trying to introduce reforms that will allow the government to exert more control over prosecutors.

They have also complained that the government has been delaying corruption trials against Mr Berlusconi.

There are four cases pending against Mr Berlusconi involving various branches of his vast business empire. The charges cover false accounting, tax fraud and bribing judges.

Mr Cumaraswamy said that one case was postponed because the former Defence Minister, Cesare Previti, repeatedly asked for a hearing to be delayed because of parliamentary obligations.

Speaking at the Palace of Justice in the city of Trieste on Friday, Mr Castelli acknowledged that Italian trials tended to be lengthy, but said that this was the case for all defendants.

He added that it was a problem which needed to be addressed.

Despite his criticisms Mr Cumaraswamy said he did not believe that the overall independence of the judiciary had been destroyed.

"Once the root causes are removed and mutual trust restored, the tension will ease and judicial independence will triumph and will be respected by all," he said.