Politics · Italy · 7 hrs ago
La Russa announces legal action against historian over TV comments
Senate President Ignazio La Russa announced legal action against historian Michela Ponzani over comments she made on Italian television.
Ponzani discussed a 1973 far-right march in Milan and La Russa’s role in it, linking the episode to a debate about the government’s latest security law.
The banned march turned violent, and a hand grenade killed police officer Antonio Marino, who was 22.
Two neo-fascist activists were later convicted of the killing, while La Russa’s spokesperson says court records show he had no responsibility and was not involved in an unauthorised demonstration.
The Five Star Movement and Democratic Party have urged La Russa to withdraw the complaint, arguing that public debate and historical research must be protected.
Their response has made the case a debate about freedom of expression and the role of senior officials.
No decision on the complaint is given; the parties’ call for La Russa to withdraw it is the stated next step.
Senate President Ignazio La Russa has instructed his lawyers to file a complaint against historian Michela Ponzani over comments she made on television.
Ponzani discussed the 1973 “Black Thursday” events in Milan and the government’s latest security decree on La7’s Otto e mezzo.
The protest on 12 April 1973 was unauthorised, and a hand grenade killed police officer Antonio Marino.
The Five Star Movement and the Democratic Party have called on La Russa to withdraw the complaint.
La Russa’s spokesman says court records show La Russa had no responsibility for the events.
- Who
- Senate President Ignazio La Russa and historian Michela Ponzani.
- What
- La Russa instructed his lawyers to file a complaint over Ponzani’s television comments. Opposition politicians have called on him to withdraw it.
- When
- The comments and announcement were reported on 25 October 2026. Ponzani referred to events on 12 April 1973.
- Where
- The comments were made on La7’s Otto e mezzo. The historical events took place in Milan.
- Why
- The complaint was announced after Ponzani discussed the 1973 events and the government’s latest security decree. La Russa’s specific grounds for the complaint are not stated.
Ignazio La Russa and his spokesman
Michela Ponzani’s supporters
Complaint
Ignazio La Russa and his spokesman
La Russa instructed his lawyers to file a complaint over Ponzani’s television comments.
Michela Ponzani’s supporters
The Five Star Movement and the Democratic Party say he should withdraw the complaint and defend freedom of expression.
La Russa’s role in 1973
Ignazio La Russa and his spokesman
His spokesman says court records show La Russa had no responsibility for the events or even for the unauthorised protest.
Michela Ponzani’s supporters
Giuseppe Conte says La Russa was among those leading the unauthorised march, alongside leaders of the Italian Social Movement.
An unauthorised far-right demonstration in Milan turned violent, and a hand grenade killed police officer Antonio Marino.
La Russa instructed his lawyers to file a complaint against Ponzani over her comments on television.
Giuseppe Conte and Democratic Party representatives called on La Russa to withdraw the complaint.
- Historian
- Michela Ponzani
- Senate president
- Ignazio La Russa
- TV programme
- Otto e mezzo on La7
- Historical event
- Black Thursday” in Milan, 12 April 1973
- Fatality
- Police officer Antonio Marino, aged 22
- Convictions
- Vittorio Loi and Maurizio Murelli were convicted of the killing in final judgments.
What people are saying
I invite President La Russa to withdraw the complaint he has announced.
The court records show not only the absence of any responsibility on his part in relation to that tragic event, but even of the simple possibility of an unauthorised demonstration.
It is a sad day when the President of the Senate announces a complaint against a distinguished historian who correctly recalled a dark page in Italian history.
Historical research cannot be subjected to the control of political authorities.