Attitudes

Turin, journalist attacked: two Casa Pound militants identified. Meloni: condemnation and maximum attention. Schlein: worrying climate of impunity

Some people came out of the interior and, after asking who he was, ordered him to hand over his mobile phone, then kicked him as he tried to leave. Digos investigates

by Redaction Rome

21 July 2024

4' min read

Key points

Identified 2 Casa Pound militants
A video documents the beating
Schlein: climate of impunity worries
Conte: delirious outbursts of violence
La Russa: no to all forms of violence
Tajani: too much violence against those who don't think like you
Piedmont president Cirio: unacceptable violence
Montaruli (FdI); solidarity with the attacker
Ace of Wands club, journalist pushed

4' min read

A journalist of the newspaper 'La Stampa', Andrea Joly, was assaulted in Turin outside a club, called 'Asso di Bastoni', frequented by militants of extreme right-wing circles. According to reconstructions, the journalist was passing in front of the club at a time when a party was in progress. Some people came out from inside and, after asking him who he was, allegedly ordered him to hand over his mobile phone, then threatened him and kicked him as he tried to leave. The Digos started investigations into the incident. And Premier Giorgia Meloni's reaction is firm. "I express my solidarity with journalist Andrea Joly, who was the victim of an unacceptable aggression in Turin last night. An act of violence that I strongly condemn and for which I hope those responsible will be identified as quickly as possible. The government's attention is maximised and I have asked Interior Minister Piantedosi for an update on developments in the case'.

Two Casa Pound militants identified

Two of the alleged perpetrators of the attack on journalist Andrea Joly were identified by the Digos in Turin. They are two Casa Pound militants. For both of them, according to information, a charge of personal injury is looming, linked to the aggravating circumstance of the crime committed 'to facilitate the activity of organisations, associations, movements or groups' that have among their aims 'discrimination or ethnic, national, racial or religious hatred'.

Plantedosis: no room for violence of any kind

"I am grateful to the Turin Police Headquarters for having promptly identified two individuals strongly suspected of involvement in the attack on the journalist of La Stampa. Their position is now being examined by the judicial authorities. In our country, all the more so with our government, there will never be room for violence of any kind, especially if it is perpetrated for discriminatory purposes or against fragile individuals or those who perform particular and fundamental functions'. This was stated by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, in relation to the attack on journalist Andrea Joly of La Stampa.

A video documents the beating

A video documents the beating. Three of them surround him, hit him and then drag him to the ground. At that point a fourth character (with a shaved head) approaches and kicks him while a shout 'leave him' is heard from a window. This is one of the videos, published by La Stampa, documenting the attack.

Schlein: climate of impunity worries

"I express my solidarity and closeness with Andrea Joly, a journalist for 'La Stampa', who was attacked and beaten up by Casa Pound militants in Turin last night for having filmed them with his mobile phone while they were celebrating their anniversary outside a club. But I also express great concern for the climate of impunity that we continue to experience in the face of such serious episodes: what more must we wait for neo-fascist organisations to be disbanded as the Constitution says? We ask President Giorgia Meloni and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to intervene immediately'. This was said by PD secretary Elly Schlein.

Conte: delirious outbursts of violence

For Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement, the incident 'demonstrates once again the need to fortify democratic antibodies every day to fight hatred, intolerance and neo-fascist violence. This is a serious and unacceptable episode, but it is not an isolated case: the alarm bells on certain anti-democratic drifts in our country have already rung several times. It is up to politicians and healthy forces to intervene to put an end to these delirious regurgitations of arrogance and violence. To Joly and the entire editorial staff my solidarity and that of the M5S'.

La Russa: no to all forms of violence

"In addressing my personal solidarity and that of the Senate of the Republic to the journalist of 'La Stampa' Andrea Joly, I would like to emphasise with deep satisfaction how all the political forces are promptly condemning - as they should - this very serious episode. We strongly reiterate our no to all forms of violence,' Senate President Ignazio La Russa wrote on Fb.

Tajani: too much violence against those who do not think like you

On X, Forza Italia leader and deputy prime minister Antonio Tajani expresses his disappointment. 'Too much violence and intolerance in Italy against those who do not think like you. In Turin a La Stampa journalist was attacked by right-wing extremists, in Rome two boys were beaten up because they were homosexuals, death threats were made against Forza Italia. We strongly condemn all violence'.

Piedmont President Cirio: unacceptable violence

"I would like to express my full solidarity with the journalist and the entire editorial staff for the attack suffered. Violence is unacceptable and must always be condemned outright, from whichever side it comes, and I hope that responsibility will soon be established'. This is what Alberto Cirio, President of the Piedmont Region, said about the attack. "To the reporter Andrea Joly, whom I know personally and whose work I appreciate,' he emphasised, 'I wanted to confirm just now my encouragement and best wishes for a speedy recovery, as well as the assurance that, for our part, freedom of the press will always be considered a cornerstone of our democracy and defended against any attack.

Montaruli (FdI): solidarity with the attacker

"Our solidarity with the journalist of the newspaper 'La Stampa' who was attacked last night and with the editorial staff. Acts of violence are inadmissible and cannot find any tolerance. Any aggressive or intimidating action is unjustifiable and is all the more odious when it restricts freedoms'. Thus the deputy leader of Fratelli d'Italia in the Chamber Augusta Montaruli.

Circle 'Ace of Wands' journalist pushed

They saw a person who was taking photos and videos and when they asked him who he was, 'he did not identify himself as a journalist but, on the contrary, shoved some boys and created a squabble'. This in brief is the reconstruction of the managers of the 'Ace of Wands' club regarding the case. At the time, a party for the club's 16th anniversary was in progress. "Why would our members 'attack' a journalist when they have always been invited and hosted, and we have always accepted reports from any media outlet?' they say.