Probe launched after Italian Premier Meloni's bank account accessed

Investigations are being conducted into a former bank employee accused of snooping on the accounts of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as well as other high-ranking politicians in Italy.

Over a period of two years, the man from the south-eastern city of Bari allegedly scrutinized the current accounts of about 3,500 bank customers, including Meloni and some of her ministers, Italian media reported on Friday. The man's motives were reported to be unclear.

The unusual access to the accounts was noticed during an internal audit. Suspicion arose after the employee's frequent account checks were discovered.

The man was dismissed and is now under investigation for unauthorized access to computer systems and attempted acquisition of information. The police searched his home and confiscated smartphones and computer devices.

It is alleged that the man also spied on credit card statements. By using the statements he was also able to monitor and reconstruct the movements of the politicians. According to media reports, the former bank employee denied downloading any data.

Among the accounts spied upon were those of Meloni's sister Arianna and her ex-partner Andrea Giambruno, the media reports said.

Other accounts reportedly spied upon were those of the Italian Senate president, the defence minister and the designated EU Commissioner Roberto Fitto, all of whom belong to Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy party.