(ANSA) - ROME, 13 OTT - "I do not name the countries" where there are less severe laws against money laundering", but organized crime has traveled to Malta, Romania, and various other EU countries" to carry on its business, like online gambling platforms. "However, it is up to Europe to intervene thoroughly with the infringement procedures", said the National Anti-Mafia and Counter-Terrorism Prosecutor Federico Cafiero De Raho speaking from his office in live video streaming at the hearing before the Justice and Budget Commissions of the Chamber of Deputies on the EU action plan against money laundering. De Raho referred to the EU countries with the looser legislation against the "laundering" of money from crimes.

According to De Raho, "it would be truly an important step if all countries had the same discipline, and Europe should support this path." "There are countries that have a less rigorous discipline than the Italian one - added the National Prosecutor - and not all EU countries maintain the same level in combating money laundering and it is true that organized crime projects its illicit capital where it's easier to reinvest it, and the discipline is less rigorous." "In fact, some companies - De Raho underlined - are set up only in those parts of Europe" which are not "tax havens but regulatory havens". (ANSA).