The lead singer of rock band Placebo, Brian Molko, has been charged with defamation by the Italian state after calling Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni a “fascist,” media outlets reported on Tuesday.

Meloni, who leads the national-conservative Brothers of Italy Party, sued Molko over comments he made in 2023. The 52-year-old British-American rock star branded the politician a “fascist, racist” and “piece of s**t” while performing at the Sonic Park music festival near the Italian city of Turin.

He was charged with “contempt of institutions” shortly after prosecutors launched a probe into the claims in August 2023.

On Monday, Italy’s Justice Ministry reportedly authorized prosecutors in Turin to move forward with legal proceedings. Molko is facing a fine and a direct summons to trial. Defaming the Italian government, parliament, courts, or army can carry a fine of up to €5,000 ($5,200).

According to a spokesperson for Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, as cited by The Guardian, Molko is unlikely to receive a custodial sentence despite the fact that public defamation carries a prison term of up to three years in accordance with Italian law.

Molko made the insults to a crowd of 5,000 people, a year after Meloni’s party, which traces its heritage back to the Italian Socialist movement founded by allies of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, secured victory in the 2022 elections. Meloni’s anti-immigration stance and anti-LGBTQ views sparked criticism among the Italian opposition and political leaders across the EU.

The case against Molko is not the first litigation launched by Meloni for defamation. Last year, the Italian prime minister won a lawsuit against a journalist who was ordered to pay her €5,000 for mocking her on social media. In 2023, the Italian writer Roberto Saviano was fined €1,000 for calling Meloni a “bastard” while commenting on her views on immigration.

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