On Tuesday, Twitter deleted a video of a Ukrainian woman being raped by a migrant in an Italian town that was posted by conservative leader Giorgia Meloni, who is heading the race to become Italy’s next prime minister.
Giorgia Meloni tweeted the blurred video, which was formerly published on a newspaper website late on Sunday, claiming she could not be silent against this brutal episode of sexual violence.
The post was broadly criticized by Giorgia Meloni’s political enemies and human rights activists, who alleged she had added to the victim’s pain by posting the video without her permission. On Tuesday morning, the post was deleted and changed with a comment from Twitter, “This Tweet Violated the Twitter Rules.”
There was no direct response from Giorgia Meloni. On Monday, Giorgia Meloni tweeted on Twitter that she posted the video to convey solidarity with the victim, to criticize what happened, and to seek justice.
Regional authorities in the northern city of Piacenza claim that an asylum seeker from Guinea raped a 55-year-old Ukrainian woman on a footpath early Sunday. Police have confirmed his arrest and stated that the man is being jailed as the investigation goes on.
The incident was videoed by someone in a flat facing the street. The pictures later posted online were blurred, making it impossible to recognize the victim, but her cries could be easily heard on the audio.
“The circulation in the media of videos portraying the criminal episode is being closely investigated,” Piacenza prosecutor Grazia Pradella said.
The state surveillants assigned to the protection of personal data said, “It was also investigating possible duties on the part of the persons who, for several reasons and various purposes, had posted it.”
Giorgia Meloni and her right-wing coalition are polling well ahead of the September 25 national election and are widely expected to win. Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party looks ready to capture the most seats in parliament, placing her in pole position to become Italy’s first female prime minister.
