Brian Molko’s Sonic Park comments lead to defamation case in Italy

When Brian Molko called Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni a “Nazi” and a “piece of s***, fascist, racist” on stage, he was charged with defamation. Placebo performed in front of 5,000 people at the 2023 Sonic Park festival in Italy, and that is where the frontman expressed his opinions against the politician. According to the Italian newspaper La Stampa, prosecutors opened an inquiry into the artist for “contempt of the institutions” after a police complaint was made at the event. Prosecutors’ proposal to charge Molko for his remarks against Meloni was approved by Italy’s justice minister on February 17. The singer might face a fine of up to €5,000 (£4,200). According to Carlo Nordio, the justice minister’s spokesperson, Molko is unlikely to receive a prison sentence, while in previous defamation cases in the nation, offenders may receive sentences of up to three years in prison. Molko’s public retraction and apology have been sought by members of Meloni’s far-right Fratelli D’Italia party, which has been associated with Italy’s neo-fascist movement.

We cannot let an international event that attracts so many people (to Italy) be ruined by filthy words which, amidst a general silence, aim to attack the institutions of the republic. Augusta Montaruli

The case comes after demands that Meloni relax Italy’s stringent anti-defamation legislation to bring it into compliance with other global norms for free speech. In the past, after a baby died while crossing the Mediterranean, the prime minister was successful in suing investigative journalist Robert Saviano for referring to Meloni as a “bastard” for her immigration policy. He received a €1,000 (£830) fine. In 2022, the right-wing Fratelli D’Italia party won a majority election in Italy.