Placebo's Brian Molko Charged With Defamation For Calling Italian Prime Minister 'Fascist'

Placebo singer Brian Molko has been charged with defamation after allegedly describing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a “piece of shit,” “fascist” and “racist.”

The Pure Morning singer made the comments while the band was performing at the Sonic Park festival in Stupinigi outside Turin, Italy, in July 2023. According to video footage translated by fans on social media, Molko publicly allegedly shouted in Italian: “Giorgia Meloni, piece of shit, fascist, racist” and later said, “Fuck you.”

Prosecutors in Turin opened an investigation into Molko’s alleged comments at the time. A few weeks later, he was sued for defamation.

During the Stupinigi Sonic Park, the Placebo lead singer Brian Molko calls PM Giorgia Meloni 'racist, fascist', concluding 'fuck you'.

July 11, 2023 pic.twitter.com/eqmJLcH4Qp

— Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics 🇮🇹 (@CrazyItalianPol) July 12, 2023

Now, he’s being formally charged. Italian newspaper La Stampa reports that the Italian justice ministry has permitted prosecutors to launch legal proceedings against Molko for charges of “contempt of the institutions.” The offence could result in a fine between €1,000 ($1,650) and €5,000 ($8,250).

The publication added, “The crime in question is subject to direct summons to trial.”

At the time of publication, the band haven’t made a public statement about the charge.

Prime Minister Meloni, head of the Brothers of Italy party, leads the country's most right-wing coalition government since World War II.

Meloni, Italy’s first-ever female Prime Minister, assumed office in October 2022 after running a campaign to limit and overturn immigration and “return” to “traditional Christian family values,” promising to cut LGBTQ+ policies, NME reports.

The band recently released their new documentary film, Placebo: This Search For Meaning.

Last year, the British group were set to perform at the inaugural Pandemonium Rocks festival after it moved to a one-stage event, citing the “current state of the Australian economy and the cost of living crisis” as impacting the festival.

Pandemonium ended up featuring Alice Cooper, Blondie, Psychedelic Furs, Wheatus, Wolfmother, and Cosmic Psychos, but it lost Deep Purple, Placebo, Dead Kennedys, Gang Of Four, and Gyroscope.