Placebo’s Brian Molko Faces Defamation Charge for Calling Italian Prime Minister a ‘Fascist’

Placebo’s Brian Molko Faces Defamation Charge for Calling Italian Prime Minister a ‘Fascist’

Brian Molko, the frontman of the British band Placebo, has been charged with defamation after referring to Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, as a “fascist” during a performance in July 2023.

While performing at the Sonic Park festival near Turin, Italy, the 52-year-old singer made strong remarks about Meloni, calling her a “fascist,” “racist,” “Nazi,” and a “piece of s**t” in Italian. The controversial comments were recorded and later circulated on social media.

Following the public backlash, prosecutors in Turin initiated an investigation into Molko, and Italy’s justice ministry approved the request to charge him with defamation. This decision comes after the case garnered significant attention.

In Italy, defamation charges can lead to prison time, but a spokesperson for Italy’s Justice Minister Carlo Nordio indicated that Molko is more likely to face a fine of up to €5,000 ($5,200/£4,200) if the charge stands.

Molko, who has led Placebo since its formation in 1994, has not yet made any public statements regarding the legal issue.

Giorgia Meloni, who leads the far-right Brothers of Italy party, became the Prime Minister in September 2022. Her government has been described as the most right-wing in Italy since World War II, with policies that include anti-immigration and anti-LGBTQ+ stances.

Meloni has previously faced calls to reform Italy’s stringent defamation laws to align with international standards of freedom of speech.