Giorgia Meloni to Testify in Defamation Case Involving Journalist and Celebrity Photographer
Italian Prime Minister faces court over allegations of personal misconduct published in media article.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to testify before the Eighth Section of the Milan Court in a defamation trial against Fabrizio Corona and journalist Luca Arnau.
The case stems from an article published in October 2023 on the website Dillinger.it, which contained allegations of a personal relationship between Meloni and Manlio Messina, a member of the Italian Parliament from the Brothers of Italy party.
Meloni, who has filed as a civil party in the case, is listed as a witness by both the public prosecutor Giovanni Tarzia and Corona's defense attorney, Ivano Chiesa.
Meloni’s lawyer, Luca Libra, has indicated that they will request the Prime Minister's testimony to take place at Palazzo Chigi, in accordance with the provisions of the penal procedure code.
The next court hearing is scheduled for June 16, where Messina, who is also a civil party in the trial, is expected to be heard.
Following the hearing, Messina expressed his discontent with the media, stating, "One cannot invent a news story out of thin air just to gain followers; lives of individuals are not a game.
We are two citizens who have been defamed."
Fabrizio Corona, who is considered the de facto editor of the website where the contentious article appeared, has been accused alongside Arnau for allegedly fabricating the claims that led to the defamation proceedings.
According to the prosecution, the allegations of a relationship are baseless, supported by findings that indicate "absolute unfoundedness".
Following the publication of the article, both Corona and Arnau were charged directly to court.
In related public sentiments, protests involving the burning of Meloni's photograph have occurred in several cities across Italy, including Turin, Imperia, Milan, Prato, as well as Naples and Venice, coinciding with the Islamic festival celebrations.
The case stems from an article published in October 2023 on the website Dillinger.it, which contained allegations of a personal relationship between Meloni and Manlio Messina, a member of the Italian Parliament from the Brothers of Italy party.
Meloni, who has filed as a civil party in the case, is listed as a witness by both the public prosecutor Giovanni Tarzia and Corona's defense attorney, Ivano Chiesa.
Meloni’s lawyer, Luca Libra, has indicated that they will request the Prime Minister's testimony to take place at Palazzo Chigi, in accordance with the provisions of the penal procedure code.
The next court hearing is scheduled for June 16, where Messina, who is also a civil party in the trial, is expected to be heard.
Following the hearing, Messina expressed his discontent with the media, stating, "One cannot invent a news story out of thin air just to gain followers; lives of individuals are not a game.
We are two citizens who have been defamed."
Fabrizio Corona, who is considered the de facto editor of the website where the contentious article appeared, has been accused alongside Arnau for allegedly fabricating the claims that led to the defamation proceedings.
According to the prosecution, the allegations of a relationship are baseless, supported by findings that indicate "absolute unfoundedness".
Following the publication of the article, both Corona and Arnau were charged directly to court.
In related public sentiments, protests involving the burning of Meloni's photograph have occurred in several cities across Italy, including Turin, Imperia, Milan, Prato, as well as Naples and Venice, coinciding with the Islamic festival celebrations.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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