Roberto Saviano Acquitted of Defaming Matteo Salvini; Deputy PM Vows to Sue Again
A court in Rome has acquitted Italian writer and journalist Roberto Saviano of defamation charges brought by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini. The legal dispute centered on statements made by Saviano in 2018, when Salvini served as Minister of the Interior, in which he referred to Salvini as the "minister of the underworld" in social media posts. The presiding judge ruled that the crime did not exist, accepting the defense's argument that the remarks constituted political and cultural criticism rather than criminal defamation. Saviano supported his stance by referencing a tradition of moral denunciation of power, citing intellectual Gaetano Salvemini. Following the verdict, Saviano claimed he had been persecuted by Salvini for years. In response, Salvini harshly criticized the decision, accusing the judiciary of ideological bias. He defended his record as Interior Minister, highlighting his efforts against organized crime groups such as the mafia, Camorra, and 'Ndrangheta. Salvini announced his intention to pursue further legal action against Saviano, stating he would sue him again despite the acquittal.
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Roberto Saviano Acquitted of Defaming Matteo Salvini; Deputy PM Vows to Sue Again
A court in Rome has acquitted Italian writer and journalist Roberto Saviano of defamation charges brought by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini. The legal dispute centered on statements made by Saviano in 2018, when Salvini served as Minister of the Interior, in which he referred to Salvini as the "minister of the underworld" in social media posts. The presiding judge ruled that the crime did not exist, accepting the defense's argument that the remarks constituted political and cultural criticism rather than criminal defamation. Saviano supported his stance by referencing a tradition of moral denunciation of power, citing intellectual Gaetano Salvemini. Following the verdict, Saviano claimed he had been persecuted by Salvini for years. In response, Salvini harshly criticized the decision, accusing the judiciary of ideological bias. He defended his record as Interior Minister, highlighting his efforts against organized crime groups such as the mafia, Camorra, and 'Ndrangheta. Salvini announced his intention to pursue further legal action against Saviano, stating he would sue him again despite the acquittal.
Repubblica.it