Placebo’s lead singer, Brian Molko, is facing legal trouble in Italy after he made derogatory comments about Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a performance. The incident occurred at the Sonic Park festival in Turin in July 2023, where Molko addressed the crowd of approximately 5,000 fans in Italian, openly criticizing Meloni and labeling her as a "piece of s***," as well as calling her "fascist" and "racist." His remarks were met with enthusiastic cheers from the audience.
Following the performance, prosecutors in Turin initiated an investigation into Molko for "contempt of the institutions." By August 2023, the legal proceedings had gained traction, with reports indicating that Italy’s justice ministry authorized prosecutors to advance with the case. If convicted, Molko could face a fine of up to €5,000 (around £4,300).
This incident is not an isolated case for Meloni, who has previously been involved in defamation lawsuits. In 2023, she successfully sued journalist Roberto Saviano after he referred to her as a "bastard" during a television interview, a comment stemming from her controversial anti-immigration stance.
Since becoming Prime Minister in 2022, Meloni has been a polarizing figure in Italian politics, with her administration making headlines for a range of contentious policies. One of her most recent legislative actions includes a law that prohibits couples from traveling abroad for surrogacy, which has drawn criticism from various activists and organizations.
As the legal proceedings against Molko unfold, they highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding free speech and political criticism in Italy, particularly in relation to Meloni’s administration and its policies. Sky News has reached out to representatives of Placebo for further comment on the situation.