Italy probes ‘kill Berlusconi’ Facebook pages

In Italy, an investigation has been launched into groups on the social networking site Facebook calling themselves: “Let’s Kill Berlusconi.”

It is feared the internet campaign may lead to a real, rather than a virtual attack on the Italian prime minister.

Media reports say police are considering blocking the most established of the sites.

The Italian Justice Minister, Angelino Alfano said: “Since in our country, there is compulsory penal action, I expect that the magistrates’ bench does its duty in inquiring and pursuing those who encourage hatred and murder and commit a crime, from a penal point of view, and judge in an inappropriate manner from a moral point of view.”

There are at least three sites, each with a picture of Berlusconi with a red line across his face, and the words: “Berlusconi Get Lost.”

Even Italian opposition leaders have called on Facebook to black out the sites before the authorities are forced to do so.

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tags: Internet, Italy, Silvio Berlusconi