The Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, is suing the Placebo frontman, Brian Molko, for defamation after he he publicly called her “racist” and “fascist”, according to local media reports.
Molko made the comments during a performance by the band at the Sonic Park festival in Stupinigi outside Turin in July. “Giorgia Meloni, piece of shit, fascist, racist,” he appeared to shout in Italian in footage posted on social media by fans who attended the gig.
Prosecutors opened an investigation against Molko for insulting the state institutions a week later.
Italy has one of the highest rates of libel suits against the media in Europe, according to journalist associations.
Roberto Saviano, the author of Gomorrrah, is facing a trial for comments he made about Meloni over her stance on immigration. She sued him for criminal defamation and a judge in Rome ruled that the writer should be tried. If convicted, Saviano faces up to three years in prison.
Under Italy’s criminal code, anyone who “publicly defames the republic”, which includes the government, parliament, the courts and the army, faces punishment of a fine of between €1,000 (£860) to €5,000.
The International Press Institute has joined its Media Freedom Rapid Response partners in calling again on the Italian parliament to undertake comprehensive overhaul of Italy’s defamation laws that brings them into line with international standards on freedom of expression.
