Placebo frontman charged with calling Italian PM a ‘Nazi’ during concert.

Editor Stephen Hill 18th February 2025

Brian Molko, the frontman of the band Placebo, has been formally charged with defamation following remarks he allegedly made about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, during a performance in Italy. 

The incident reportedly occurred at the Sonic Park festival in Turin in 2023, which attracted an audience of approximately 5,000 attendees.  

Italy's Ministry of Justice has sanctioned a request from local prosecutors to charge the Scottish-American musician after he allegedly referred to Ms. Meloni as a “fascist,” a “Nazi,” and a “piece of s***, fascist, racist.” 

This response follows a complaint lodged by police authorities present at the festival, leading to an investigation into claims of defamation and contempt.  Members of Ms. Meloni's far-right political party, Brothers of Italy, which has historical ties to Italy's neo-fascist movement, condemned Molko's statements and called for a formal apology. 

Augusta Montaruli, a lawmaker from this party, was quoted by LaPresse emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of international events that contribute to Italy's reputation, asserting that such remarks threaten the institutions of the republic.  

Defamation offenses in Italy can result in imprisonment for a duration of up to three years. However, a representative for Justice Minister Carlo Norio has indicated that a prison sentence is unlikely in this case. 

Should the charges be upheld, Molko may face a financial penalty of €5,000 (£4,200).  Giorgia Meloni was elected as Prime Minister in September 2022 after her party secured an overall majority. 

In July 2024, an Italian judge mandated a journalist to compensate Meloni €5,000 (£4,210) for derogatory remarks regarding her height made on social media, deeming them as "body shaming."  Additionally, the judge imposed a suspended fine of €1,200 on journalist Giulia Cortese for her defamatory posts on X, which originated in 2021, predating Meloni’s tenure. Cortese responded to the ruling by alleging that the Italian government is facing a significant issue concerning freedom of expression and dissent within journalism. 

She remarked on X about the erosion of independent journalism, likening Italy's situation to that of Hungary under Viktor Orbán, and expressed hope for improved conditions in the future, affirming a commitment to perseverance in advocating for free expression. In October 2021, prior to Meloni's election, Cortese had posted a digitally altered image featuring the politician alongside a depiction of Benito Mussolini.