British rock star charged in Italy for calling Giorgia Meloni a ‘fascist' and a ‘Nazi'
The frontman of the British rock band Placebo has been charged with defamation after he allegedly called the Italian prime minister a 'fascist' and a 'Nazi' while on stage.
Italy's justice ministry approved on Monday a request from prosecutors to charge Brian Molko, a 52-year-old Scottish-American, over comments he made about Giorgia Meloni during a concert in Turin in 2023.
Mr Molko allegedly called Ms Meloni a 'piece of s—, fascist, racist' as well as a 'Nazi' at the Sonic Park festival in Stupinigi which drew about 5,000 people.
Turin prosecutors responded to a complaint from police at the festival and opened an investigation into Mr Molko for defamation and contempt.
Defamation in Italy can include a prison term of up to three years, but a prison sentence is unlikely to be imposed in this case, according to a spokesman for Carlo Nordio, the justice minister.
He said that the lead singer was more likely to face a fine of up to €5,000 (£4,200) if the charges were upheld.
Nevertheless, a lighter punishment is unlikely to allay criticism of Ms Meloni and her government that they are systematically challenging the limits of free expression.
Last year Sir Salman Rushdie told the prime minister to 'grow up' after she successfully sued celebrated investigative journalist, Roberto Saviano for calling her a 'b-----' over her hard-line views on migration.
Mr Saviano, the internationally acclaimed author of Gomorrah which highlighted the criminal activities of the Neapolitan mafia, was found guilty of defamation in 2023 after insulting Ms Meloni during a television interview about a baby from Guinea who died while crossing the Mediterranean.
Ms Meloni had sued Mr Saviano before being elected Italy's first female prime minister in October 2022. He was fined €1,000 (£830).
Dropped lawsuit
Last year, Ms Meloni dropped a defamation lawsuit against a veteran historian who allegedly said that she was a 'neo-Nazi in her soul' when she was in opposition in April 2022.
The trial of 82-year-old Luciano Canfora was due to have started on Oct 7, but Ms Meloni withdrew her complaint against the man considered one of Italy's leading intellectuals after previously seeking compensation of €20,000.
During Ms Meloni 's first year in office, Italy recorded the highest number of lawsuits against public participation, according to a report by the European Parliament's civil liberties committee.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Graziadaily
29 minutes ago
- Graziadaily
Love Island: Meet Toni Laites, Who Has Made History As The First US Contestant In The Villa
Summer is here, and with it brings a whole new series of Love Island - and an excuse to stay inside and binge our fave show. This week, we were introduced to the new line-up of singletons who are looking for love, which include former fire breather Sophie Lee, personal trainer Aaron Buckett and Shakira Khan. Love Island producers have hinted that this season will be jam-packed with new twists and turns, and, if this week is anything to go by, they weren't exaggerating. Despite being only a few days into the new series, the villa has already seen the arrival of a new bombshell, Toni Laites. Host Maya Jama teased the arrival of Toni with a promo on social media that showed her receiving a voice note from a mysterious American girl. Now, Toni has entered the villa, becoming the first US contestant to take part in the show. Toni Laites is from Connecticut, and she works as a Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server. Although the show has only just started, Toni has already bought all the drama by becoming the first bombshell to enter the series. Toni is also the first ever American cast member to join the line-up, so we can't wait to see what's in store for the islanders as the dynamics evolve. However, Toni has said she's hoping to come out with friends of course' and doesn't 'want to be super messy' in the villa. She added: 'I guess I'm the party starter, I want everyone to have fun.' Toni Laites has opened up about her work as a Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server, calling it her claim to fame. 'I'm always the number one in sales at both hotels I work at. I'm a workaholic,' she said. 'You have to audition to get the job I've got – over a 1000 people applied. There's only 10 cabana servers!' She continued: 'For the audition they set up a fake pool deck, they tell you to load up trays and zig zag through the chairs. The trays are heavy with pitchers and our large cocktails are really large! I've definitely dropped drinks on people before, but on the whole I'm really good.' Love Island isn't the first time that Toni made headlines. She has ulcerative colitis, which meant she had to go to hospital the same day as her senior prom. 'They told me, 'You can't go' and then they said, 'Surprise, you're going to prom!' Nothing that exciting happens in Connecticut, so it was a big deal and a few articles were written about me,' she said. 'What I hope people see from me being on Love Island is that not all illnesses are visible. It doesn't have to hold you back, you can travel etc…I live my life day-to-day like anyone else.' Toni has described dating in America as a 'mess,' continuing 'I live in cities that are fast-paced and party places; Las Vegas and Florida [..] People are here for a good time, not a long time. I live in Sin City! I do love Las Vegas. I've met some of the greatest people I've ever met there. I'm willing to relocate, it would just break my heart to not have my job anymore.' When asked to describe any of her recent dates, Toni said they've been 'Really terrible.' She continued: 'The last date I went on was rubbish. He brought a friend, so I brought my sister. We said we're going to the bathroom and I blocked him and we ran out of the property. I like to be treated like a lady, going to nice spas in Vegas, being taken to nice restaurants. I'm still waiting to be taken on vacation for a date.' When it comes to her personal preferences, Toni says she wants to date a British guy because she's lived in three different US states and is still single. 'I have some British friends and they're pretty charming,' she said. 'I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners.' At the end of the day, though, she says her requirements for a partner are pretty straight forward. 'Someone that can make me laugh – I'm super outgoing. And someone that's quite active. Maybe one day we could start our own family together,' she said. Yes! You can keep up to date with Toni's life at @tlaites20.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Michelle Keegan lands six-figure deal in first major job since having baby Palma
Just three months after giving birth to her first child with husband Mark Wright, Michelle Keegan has landed a huge deal worth six-figures, it has been reported Michelle Keegan has signed a six-figure advertising deal just three months after becoming a new mum. The former Coronation Street star has been embracing life as a first-time mum since welcoming baby Palma Elizabeth Wright into the world on March 6. Michelle and Mark Wright have been enjoying their time as new parents over the last three months. Fans have been given a glimpse into their first holiday abroad as a family of three last month as Michelle and Mark, both 38, headed to Spain with two-month-old Palma. Michelle revealed to her followers that Palma has been given the nickname Princess P, whilst confirming that it was their first holiday. She wrote in the caption of her post: "Princess P's first family holiday." But it seems it is back to business for Michelle who has just signed a deal to become the new face of Sky. She is set to film a series of promo clips — which will be shown around the globe — with fellow British actor, Luther star Idris Elba. She landed the deal after becoming a major player for Sky, with her comedy-drama Brassic one of the most popular series to air on the platform. A source told The Sun: 'Michelle has really been enjoying maternity leave with Palma, but she'll be back to work soon to film these new adverts for Sky. She has signed a six-figure deal for the job and is thrilled to have been chosen to appear alongside Idris, who has been their 'face'. 'Brassic is ending after the seventh series and Michelle is keen to still be a part of the Sky brand. Landing this ad is huge for Michelle, as she's fast becoming a brand in her own right. Everything she touches seems to turn to gold.' Michelle Keegan is now a household name after appearing in some of Britain's favourite TV shows including Our Girl and Coronation Street. However, the star went from working at a make-up counter when she finished school to a successful actress with what seems like a dream life. The Stockport star didn't have plans when she first left school and found herself working at Selfridges in the Trafford Centre on a make-up counter and at Manchester Airport as a check-in agent. But she seems to have found her feet when it comes to success in the wolrd of TV as she secured first acting appearance on Coronation Street when she was offered the role of Tina McIntyre after just her second audition as an actress. The talented actress beat 900 other people to the role on the soap and just two weeks later she stepped onto the cobbles and began her career. TV star Michelle Keegan may be earning mega money now but she will have to put in the overtime if she want to catch up with her husband Mark Wright. It was reported two years ago that Mark is now worth almost £14million as he continues to grow his incredible property empire. With an estimated combined net worth of around £20m, it's no wonder the pair splashed the cash on their dream home three years ago.
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Brian Wilson: Beach Boys star who surfed the waves to success
Brian Wilson, who has died aged 82, was considered one of the world's most influential recording artists. Born in California in 1942, he showed early musical talent, teaching harmonies to his younger brothers Dennis and Carl and obsessively studying piano. In 1961, Wilson, his brothers, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine recorded Surfin', a local hit that marked the birth of The Beach Boys. Signed to Capitol Records a year later, the band shaped 1960s American pop with hits such as Surfin' USA, I Get Around and California Girls. The 1966 album Pet Sounds, which included the track God Only Knows, remains a landmark in modern music, influencing generations of artists including Sir Paul McCartney, who called it his favourite record. Sir Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson and Carole King were also fans, while The Who's drummer, Keith Moon, fantasised about joining the Beach Boys. The band ranks among the most popular groups of the rock era, with more than 30 singles in the Top 40 and worldwide sales of more than 100 million and they were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Originally unfinished in the 1960s, he finally completed and released Smile in 2004 to critical acclaim. Wilson struggled with mental illness and drug addiction, but in later years he toured globally.
