Donald Trump Junior accused of killing protected species of duck on hunt in Venice lagoon
An Italian politician has told Sky News he's filed a criminal complaint after Donald Trump Junior allegedly killing a protected species of duck while on a hunting trip in the Venice lagoon.
Andrea Zanoni, from the Green Europe party, said he had notified the Carabinieri environmental crime unit in Mestre.
He claimed Mr Trump hunted and killed protected species of birds in Campagna Lupia, a town in the province of Venice, last December.
"The US president's son killed a protected species in a protected natural area, and this is a serious criminal offence," Mr Zanoni said.
"No one should be above the law."
Mr Zanoni is currently serving as president of the region of Veneto's justice commission.
A spokesman for Mr Trump said his party had permits and were in a legally allowed area.
A video posted online and reported by Italian media outlets appears to show Mr Trump Jr shooting at ducks inside a special conservation area south of Venice, and then addressing the camera and pointing to an orange-brown duck among at least six other dead waterfowl around him.
The dead birds allegedly included a ruddy shelduck, which is protected by the EU Birds Directive and Italian wildlife protection legislation.
In addition, it is thought Mr Trump needed to reside in an Italian region in order to be granted a hunting permit.
Veneto imposes a different hunting calendar for each species.
Mr Zanoni said he was "100% sure" the Venice Public Prosecutor's Office will soon open a probe into the case.
If so, it is thought Donald Trump Jr could face both a jail sentence and a fine.
A source close to the investigation told Sky News they are "evaluating" possible crimes following Mr Zanoni's complaint.
Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto said he was "waiting for a report".
Sergio Costa, a former Italian environment minister, told Sky News he was "horrified" by the case.
"It's as if Italy became Trump Junior's backyard," Mr Costa said.
"I'll ask the government to report on this and I'm going to file a complaint with the Public Prosecutor's Office," he added.
An animal rights NGO, LAV, expressed indignation along with other Italian political parties.
Veneto governor Luca Zaia refused to comment on the case.
A spokesman for Mr Trump said "there were countless other hunting groups present" while the hunting party had permits and were in a legally allowed area.
Andy Surabian added: "While it's unclear whether this single duck was unintentionally shot by someone in Don's hunting group, another hunting group, or killed in a different manner and retrieved by the group's hunting dog, Don takes following all rules, regulations and conservation on his hunts very seriously and plans on fully cooperating with any investigation."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
9 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Thousands of demonstrators march through Rome to call for end to war in Gaza
Protesters held a banner reading 'Stop the massacre, stop complicity!' at the start of the march, which moved peacefully through the centre of Rome amid a massive display of rainbow, Palestinian and political party flags. The protest attracted a diverse crowd from across the country, including many families with children. According to organisers, up to 300,000 people participated in the rally organised by the leftist opposition to ask the government for a clear position on the conflict in Gaza. 'This is an an enormous popular response to say enough to the massacre of Palestinians and the crimes of (Israeli leader Benjamin) Netanyahu's government,' the leader of Italy's centre-left Democratic Party, Elly Schlein, told reporters at the march. 'There is another Italy that doesn't remain silent as the Meloni government does,' she said, referring to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Ms Meloni was recently pushed by the opposition to publicly condemn Mr Netanyahu's offensive in Gaza, but many observers considered her criticism too timid. '(The Italian government) is not reacting despite an abnormal massacre, despite an absolutely cruel and inappropriate reaction. The (Italian) government remains silent,' said Nadin Unali, a Tunisian demonstrator at the march. Earlier this week, the Italian premier urged Israel to immediately halt its military campaign in Gaza, saying its attacks had grown disproportionately and should be brought to an end to protect civilians. Israel faces mounting international criticism for its offensive and pressure to let aid into Gaza during a humanitarian crisis. Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade for nearly three months, with experts warning that many of its two million residents are at high risk of famine. The war broke out on October 7 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 hostages. They are still holding 56 hostages, around a third of them believed to be alive. Since then, Israel has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians in its military campaign, primarily women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures.
South Wales Argus
15 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Thousands of demonstrators march through Rome to call for end to war in Gaza
Protesters held a banner reading 'Stop the massacre, stop complicity!' at the start of the march, which moved peacefully through the centre of Rome amid a massive display of rainbow, Palestinian and political party flags. The protest attracted a diverse crowd from across the country, including many families with children. Giorgia Meloni's government has been accused of a timid response on the issue (LaPresse via AP) According to organisers, up to 300,000 people participated in the rally organised by the leftist opposition to ask the government for a clear position on the conflict in Gaza. 'This is an an enormous popular response to say enough to the massacre of Palestinians and the crimes of (Israeli leader Benjamin) Netanyahu's government,' the leader of Italy's centre-left Democratic Party, Elly Schlein, told reporters at the march. 'There is another Italy that doesn't remain silent as the Meloni government does,' she said, referring to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Ms Meloni was recently pushed by the opposition to publicly condemn Mr Netanyahu's offensive in Gaza, but many observers considered her criticism too timid. The demo attracted a diverse crowd (AP) '(The Italian government) is not reacting despite an abnormal massacre, despite an absolutely cruel and inappropriate reaction. The (Italian) government remains silent,' said Nadin Unali, a Tunisian demonstrator at the march. Earlier this week, the Italian premier urged Israel to immediately halt its military campaign in Gaza, saying its attacks had grown disproportionately and should be brought to an end to protect civilians. Israel faces mounting international criticism for its offensive and pressure to let aid into Gaza during a humanitarian crisis. Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade for nearly three months, with experts warning that many of its two million residents are at high risk of famine. More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed (LaPresse via AP) The war broke out on October 7 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 hostages. They are still holding 56 hostages, around a third of them believed to be alive. Since then, Israel has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians in its military campaign, primarily women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures.
Western Telegraph
22 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Thousands of demonstrators march through Rome to call for end to war in Gaza
Protesters held a banner reading 'Stop the massacre, stop complicity!' at the start of the march, which moved peacefully through the centre of Rome amid a massive display of rainbow, Palestinian and political party flags. The protest attracted a diverse crowd from across the country, including many families with children. Giorgia Meloni's government has been accused of a timid response on the issue (LaPresse via AP) According to organisers, up to 300,000 people participated in the rally organised by the leftist opposition to ask the government for a clear position on the conflict in Gaza. 'This is an an enormous popular response to say enough to the massacre of Palestinians and the crimes of (Israeli leader Benjamin) Netanyahu's government,' the leader of Italy's centre-left Democratic Party, Elly Schlein, told reporters at the march. 'There is another Italy that doesn't remain silent as the Meloni government does,' she said, referring to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Ms Meloni was recently pushed by the opposition to publicly condemn Mr Netanyahu's offensive in Gaza, but many observers considered her criticism too timid. The demo attracted a diverse crowd (AP) '(The Italian government) is not reacting despite an abnormal massacre, despite an absolutely cruel and inappropriate reaction. The (Italian) government remains silent,' said Nadin Unali, a Tunisian demonstrator at the march. Earlier this week, the Italian premier urged Israel to immediately halt its military campaign in Gaza, saying its attacks had grown disproportionately and should be brought to an end to protect civilians. Israel faces mounting international criticism for its offensive and pressure to let aid into Gaza during a humanitarian crisis. Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade for nearly three months, with experts warning that many of its two million residents are at high risk of famine. More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed (LaPresse via AP) The war broke out on October 7 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 hostages. They are still holding 56 hostages, around a third of them believed to be alive. Since then, Israel has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians in its military campaign, primarily women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures.
