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Shackled woman in Hungary court sparks Italy anger

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Italy has expressed strong concern and summoned Hungary’s ambassador after images of Ilaria Salis, a 39-year-old Italian woman, shackled in a Budapest court triggered public and political outrage. Salis, accused of participating in violent assaults against neo-Nazi sympathizers in February 2023, faced restraints on her hands and feet during the court appearance. The attacks occurred following a neo-Nazi rally in Budapest, with alleged far-left militants assaulting individuals after the “Day of Honour” rally.

A video showing anti-fascist activists beating a Hungarian person circulated widely in Hungary, leading to Salis’ arrest along with two German nationals. Salis faces charges of conspiracy to commit assault causing grievous bodily harm, with a potential 11-year jail term if convicted. Her case gained attention in October when her father highlighted the harsh conditions of her detention. Images of Salis in shackles during the court hearing sparked further outrage, with an online petition garnering over 90,000 signatures demanding her return to Italy.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned the Hungarian ambassador to inquire about the perceived violation of fundamental norms on detainee conditions. While Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, an ally of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has not commented, there are calls for her intervention. The Five Star Movement leader urged Meloni to prioritize the rights and dignity of Italians over political alliances.

Salis’ lawyer criticized the scenes in court as a clear violation of the European Convention on Human Rights. Allegations of unsanitary conditions in Hungarian prisons were contested by the prison service, emphasizing high hygiene standards. However, human rights groups reported overcrowded and understaffed prisons in Hungary.

The case, dominating Italian headlines, has also attracted attention in Hungary and Europe. Concerns were raised about the use of physical restraints in court and the perceived repressive nature of Hungary’s judiciary system. The president of the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties deemed the scene in the EU state’s court as “appalling.” Salis’s lawyer expressed pessimism about the trial’s outcome and called for Salis to serve pre-trial detention in Italy, citing EU law allowing citizens to be held on house arrest in their resident member country.

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Italian culture minister probed over stolen painting

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Italian Junior Culture Minister Vittorio Sgarbi is facing accusations of possessing and displaying a stolen 17th-century painting, “The Capture of Saint Peter,” which was reported stolen in 2013. Sgarbi, a well-known art critic and TV personality, is under investigation for laundering stolen goods as he included the painting in a 2021 exhibition. The artwork, by Rutilio Manetti, a follower of Caravaggio, used to be in a castle in Piedmont. Sgarbi is also accused of altering the painting by adding a candle to conceal its origin. He claims to have found the original while restoring a villa owned by his mother over 20 years ago, asserting that the stolen painting was a copy.

The allegations emerged in an investigation by Italian TV broadcaster Rai’s program ‘Report.’ The owner of the castle reported the theft, stating that the canvas was cut from the frame in 2013. It was revealed that a friend of Sgarbi had shown interest in buying the work before the theft. Another friend allegedly sent a damaged painting of “The Capture of Saint Peter” to a restorer, matching the cut piece from the stolen canvas. When displayed by Sgarbi in 2021, the painting had the added candle.

Sgarbi is also facing accusations related to another seized painting attributed to Valentin de Boulogne, valued at €5m (£4.3m), with investigations for illegal export. Sgarbi claims it’s a copy and not his property. Opposition parties are calling for his dismissal, and the Five Star Movement plans to present a motion in parliament. This comes as the second embarrassment for the Italian government this year, following an MP being investigated for taking a handgun to a New Year’s Eve party. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suspended the MP. As the European elections approach, political tensions may rise, and scandals could impact Italian politics.

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Right-wing senator shoots sexist remark against Italian Education Minister

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A right-wing senator, Giuseppe Moles, who is the member of right-wing party Forza Italia, has shot a sexist remark against Italian Education Minister Lucia Azzolina, who is the member of anti-establishment Five Star Party – which recently entered the corridor of power as a collation partner of the ruling government.

The senators of the anti-establishment party have asserted that the right-wing leader should apologize to the Italian minister.

The Italian government has offered special protection to the minister. The government has also extended protection to some rightist senators.

The Italian coalition government is at the brink of collapse. The present government is the mixture of some contradictory parties.

The present crisis has further reduced the strength of the Italian coalition government. It may even push the coalition to the state of complete disaster.

The economy of Italy urgently needs the support of the government.


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Italy: PD retains stronghold

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The effort of the Northern League, which recently stepped out from the Italian coalition government, to undo the dominance of the PD, which replaced the vacuum created by the League’s exist, over Emilia-Romagna, which the centre-left party is in a dominant position since the Second World War, has failed as the rightist party has performed far less than what it expected it would in the latest regional election.

As per a latest report, the centre-left PD has gained a slight edge over the far rightist Northern League.

The proposed victory is a great relief to the PD, which is the member of the coalition government along with the populist Five Star Movement.

What the projected victory derails is the plan of the far rightist to destabilise the present government.

The exit of the Northern League from the coalition government led by the Five Star Movement is considered as a historic blunder from the part of League leader Matteo Salvini.

The departure is used by many to project the firebrand rightist as a person who is not dedicated to act what he talks.

The development is expected to strengthen the present coalition government further. At present, the political implication of this development remains vague.


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