Latest news with #SonicPark
Russia Today
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Rock star faces trial after calling Italian PM ‘fascist'
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 'fascist,' 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 'fascist, racist' and 'piece of s**t' while performing at the Sonic Park music festival near the Italian city of Turin. He was charged with 'contempt of the institutions' shortly after prosecutors launched a probe into the claims in August 2023. On Monday, Italy's Justice Ministry reportedly authorized prosecutors in Turin to move forward with the 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 €5,000 ($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 Meloni's 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. Meloni's anti-immigration stance and anti-LGBTQ views sparked criticism among the Italian opposition and political leaders across the EU. 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 €5,000 for mocking her on social media. In 2023, the Italian writer Roberto Saviano was fined €1,000 for calling Meloni a 'bastard' while commenting on her views on immigration.
Sky News
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Placebo frontman Brian Molko charged with defamation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni
Placebo frontman Brian Molko is being charged with defamation after launching insults at Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a gig. Brian Molko launched into a rant in Italian about Ms Meloni, who leads the far-right Brothers of Italy party, on stage at the Sonic Park festival in Turin in July 2023. Speaking in front of around 5,000 fans, the frontman of the alternative rock band called the prime minister a "piece of s***" and described her as "fascist" and "racist". His remarks prompted cheers from the audience. Prosecutors in Turin officially opened an investigation into Molko for "contempt of the institutions" in August 2023. Reports in Italy say the justice ministry is now allowing prosecutors to move forward with legal proceedings. He could be fined up to €5,000 (£4,300) if convicted. Ms Meloni is no stranger to such court proceedings, having won a defamation lawsuit against journalist Roberto Saviano in 2023, who called her a "bastard" during a 2020 TV interview because of her anti-immigration policies. The far-right leader has been a divisive figure since gaining power in 2022, with one of her most recent controversial moves being the passing of a law making it .
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Placebo's Brian Molko Charged With Defamation for Calling Italian Prime Minister 'Fascist, Racist'
Placebo's Brian Molko, October 2022 (Sergione Infuso - Corbis/Getty Images) In August 2023, Placebo's Brian Molko was sued by Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni for calling her a 'piece of shit, fascist, racist' during that summer's Sonic Park festival. Now, after prosecutors in Turin opened an investigation into the claims, he's being charged with defamation for 'contempt of the institutions,' reports Italian newspaper La Stampa. That offense—defaming the Italian government, parliament, courts, or army—carries a fine of up to €5,000 ($5,240 USD) and is subject to direct summons to trial. Meloni spearheads the nationalist Brothers of Italy party, as well as the hard-right coalition voted into power in 2022. It's largely considered to be Italy's most rightwing government since Benito Mussolini's ruling during the World War II. Under Meloni's leadership, Italy's government has ordered municipalities to stop registering same-sex parents, vilified migrants and asylum seekers, and appointed Brothers of Italy loyalists to top positions in the public broadcaster, according to several New York Times articles. Pitchfork has reached out to Placebo's representatives for additional information and comment. Originally Appeared on Pitchfork
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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). 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. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
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.
