France, Italy increase security to head off possible terror attacks News
France, Italy increase security to head off possible terror attacks

[JURIST] Italy and France announced new security measures Friday designed to combat terrorism following the recent London bombings [JURIST report]. Although neither nation has been the target of Islamic terrorists, both have tightened security on transit systems and are investigating ways to crack down on militants and gather information. French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy [BBC profile] announced "an increase in funds for video surveillance, an acceleration in techniques for gathering telephone material and data storage and a reinforcement of early monitoring of radical elements." Italy proposed new regulations making it a crime to prepare explosives for a terrorist attack or to train others on using explosives. Italy also extended the time police have to identify detainees, from 12 hours to 24 hours and allow police to take DNA samples from suspects who can't be identified. Bloomberg has coverage of Italian anti-terror measures. AP has coverage of French measures. Reuters has more.