Italy on Tuesday adopted the European Union arrest warrant becoming the last EU country to do so following strong opposition from a governing coalition party.
The warrant aims to replace cumbersome extradition procedures by allowing European judicial authorities to deal with one another directly.
It was due to be adopted by January 1, 2004, but was repeatedly delayed by Italy's Northern League, a xenophobic party that is part of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government.
Justice Minister Roberto Castelli, a member of the League, voted against the text, which was approved by the chamber of deputies with 191 votes in favor, 13 votes against and 185 abstentions.
The warrant applies to 32 types of crimes, including terrorism, drug trafficking, murder, corruption, fraud and money laundering.
EU leaders approved it as a measure to fight international terrorism following the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington.