Placebo’s Brian Molko Charged for Defamation Over Remarks About Italian PM Giorgia Meloni

The musician faces legal proceedings in Italy after calling the far-right prime minister a 'fascist' and 'racist' during a 2023 concert.

Brian Molko, frontman of the British band Placebo, has been charged with defamation and 'contempt of the institutions' by Italian prosecutors.
The charges stem from a July 2023 concert in Turin where Molko called Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni a 'piece of s***, fascist, and racist' during a performance.
Italy's justice ministry approved the prosecution, which could result in a fine of up to €5,000, though a prison sentence is considered unlikely.
Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, has a history of using defamation lawsuits against critics, including journalists and public figures.
Critics argue that the charges highlight concerns about free expression under Meloni's government, which has faced scrutiny for its hardline policies on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.