Typos

Judicial Approval Required for Police Surveillance

Published March 20, 2026, 17:22
Judicial Approval Required for Police Surveillance

The government is promoting a revision of Article 17 of the Constitution regarding the lifting of communication privacy, aiming to strengthen the tools of the Police to combat organized crime. In the revised proposal, the role of the Attorney General is removed, and instead, judicial approval will be required for surveillance. The proposal was discussed in the Legal Committee of the Parliament, with a consensus of opinion on utilizing the existing three-member committee, which will be informed within 72 hours of any surveillance decision made by the Police Chief. Simultaneously, for the Intelligence Service (KYP), it is proposed that the Chief takes the decision to monitor and informs the same committee within 72 hours. The discussion focused on ensuring the guarantees and tools needed by law enforcement agencies, but also on limiting powers and separating powers. The absence of the Attorney General from the approval process was proposed by MPs who believe that additional, unchecked powers should not be given to the Attorney General. The discussion will continue in a new session on March 27, with the aim of finalizing the text and forwarding it to the Plenary Session of the Parliament on April 2. 38 votes are required to amend the Constitution.