The lead singer of rock band Placebo, Brian Molko, has been charged with defamation by the Italian state after calling Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni a โfascist,โ media outlets reported on Tuesday.
Meloni, who leads the national-conservative Brothers of Italy Party, sued Molko over comments he made in 2023. The 52-year-old British-American rock star branded the politician a โfascist, racistโ and โpiece of s**tโ while performing at the Sonic Park music festival near the Italian city of Turin.
He was charged with โcontempt of institutionsโ shortly after prosecutors launched a probe into the claims in August 2023.
On Monday, Italyโs Justice Ministry reportedly authorized prosecutors in Turin to move forward with legal proceedings. Molko is facing a fine and a direct summons to trial. Defaming the Italian government, parliament, courts, or army can carry a fine of up to โฌ5,000 ($5,200).
According to a spokesperson for Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, as cited by The Guardian, Molko is unlikely to receive a custodial sentence despite the fact that public defamation carries a prison term of up to three years in accordance with Italian law.
Molko made the insults to a crowd of 5,000 people, a year after Meloniโs party, which traces its heritage back to the Italian Socialist movement founded by allies of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, secured victory in the 2022 elections. Meloniโs anti-immigration stance and anti-LGBTQ views sparked criticism among the Italian opposition and political leaders across the EU.
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Journalist fined for โbody-shamingโ Meloni
The case against Molko is not the first litigation launched by Meloni for defamation. Last year, the Italian prime minister won a lawsuit against a journalist who was ordered to pay her โฌ5,000 for mocking her on social media. In 2023, the Italian writer Roberto Saviano was fined โฌ1,000 for calling Meloni a โbastardโ while commenting on her views on immigration.
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