The trial of Roberto Saviano, Italy’s best-known anti-mafia writer and author of the novel Gomorrah, began in Rome on Tuesday for insult, a crime complained about by Giorgia Maloney, now the prime minister, Reuters and Agerpres reported. .

In a December 2020 TV interview, Saviano called Maloney and Matteo Salvini “bastards”. “The whole mess (said by the two leaders of the right about NGOs – no), sea taxis, cruises (for migrants – no) means only bastards (…) Maloni, Salvini, bastards, how could you? “. The writer was outraged when he saw images of a rescue operation at sea, during which a six-month-old baby died, which the NGO Open Arms could not airlift to Italy in time.

Theoretically, if he is found guilty, Saviano can be sentenced to three years in prison, but in practice, as noted by Reuters, in Italy, fines of 500 euros or suspended terms are applied in such cases.

“I will defend the legitimacy of criticism of the government, even when it is difficult,” the 43-year-old author said in a written response to the agency before appearing in court. “What would I apologize for? Because I am fulfilling my duty to criticize the government, as all intellectuals should do,” he added.

The Fratelli d’Italia party led by Maloni was then in opposition. Luca Libra, the prime minister’s lawyer, now says “we are considering withdrawing the complaint,” as requested by the writers’ association PEN International.

On Tuesday, the trial after initial hearings was rescheduled for Dec. 12 after Salvini asked to be admitted as a plaintiff, which would have entitled him to compensation if Saviano loses the case.

Since 2006, when the novel “Gomorrah” appeared, which exposes the mafia in Naples, Saviano is constantly guarded by the police. A film and a television series were made based on his book. The writer, who often clashes with right-wing politicians, says he is also being prosecuted in two other criminal insult cases, in which Salvini and Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano are complaining about him.

Meanwhile, in Italy, disputes over migration continue between humanitarian organizations and the new right-wing government, in which Maloni is prime minister and Salvini is deputy prime minister and infrastructure minister. The authorities of Rome accuse the ships with migrants of illegal actions. Last week such a vessel as was compelled to sail to France was forbidden to dock in Italian ports; the case caused a dispute with the Paris government.