Investigating magistrates can do this, but they are supposed to follow certain rules.

But only recently have top business executives become the targets of investigating magistrates.

Our proposals take immediate effect - which is what both the people and investigating magistrates wanted.

We support your view that it is not appropriate for orders issued by investigating magistrates and prosecutors to fall within the scope of these instruments.

In 1981 she was appointed investigating magistrate and then public prosecutor in the office of the Lugano district attorney.

"I've done investigations for 35 years," Antonio Pizzi, the chief investigating magistrate, said recently.

The crisis began last week, when the announcement of the decree prompted investigating magistrates in Milan to threaten to resign.

Investigating magistrates in Geneva froze the accounts between June and October of last year.

This was a group of investigating magistrates who closely worked together sharing information and developing new investigative and prosecutorial strategies.

Even though the three former Socialist officials are now formally under investigation, it will be up to investigating magistrates to decide whether they should be prosecuted.