He had been postponed to trial on November 5, 2021, after the denunciation of Giorgia Meloni, who had been defined as a “bastard” by the writer during an episode of A clean sweep on La7, in December 2020. Roberto Saviano had said: «All the junk said about NGOs will have come back to your mind: “taxi del mare”, “cruises” … it just comes to say bastards. To Meloni, to Salvinibastards, how could you? How was it possible to describe all this pain like this? It is legitimate to have a political opinion but not on the emergency”.
The writer arrived in Rome today for the start of the trial, but the hearing lasted a few minutes and the trial was adjourned to 12 December. At the time Meloni was a deputy, leader of the Brothers of Italy, in opposition to the Conte Bis government, which creaked, together with Matteo Salvini’s League.
Before the start of the trial, however, the lawyer Luca Libra, Meloni’s lawyer, showed signs of relaxation, told reporters: “I taught my son that the word ‘bastard’ is an offense. However, we will evaluate whether to withdraw the lawsuit ». Outside the courtroom there were many characters in support of Saviano: the actress Kasia Smutniak, the writers Sandro Veronesi, Nicola Lagioia and Michela Murgia, the director of the Press Massimo Giannini.
Saviano, outside the court then said that too Matteo Salvini is involved in the trial, and has filed a civil action. «I will have him against both in this trial and in the one that will take place next year for the phrase “minister of the underworld”. In the courtroom it was said that I shouldn’t have made the rally, but I just want to defend myself. I think I have the record of journalist, personality, individual most prosecuted by this government,” said Saviano. Which refers to the complaints by people who make it up, Meloni, Salvini and the Minister of Culture Sangiuliano, who, when he was director of Tg2, had sued him, again for defamation.
The crime of aggravated defamation – in this case by the fact that the defamation allegedly took place on a television talk show – is punished with imprisonment from six months to three years or a fine of no less than 516 euros. However, in practice, the penalty is rarely enforced and is often suspended.
Source: Vanity Fair
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