Middle East: Chef Rubio on trial for defamation over post against Parenzo

Rome, 21 October (LaPresse) – The trial against Gabriele Rubini, known to the public as Chef Rubio, accused of aggravated defamation against journalist David Parenzo, has begun in Rome. At the centre of the legal case is a post published on X (formerly Twitter) on 12 October 2023, a few days after the Hamas attack in Israel. According to the prosecution, the content of the message is damaging to Parenzo’s reputation and “characterised by discriminatory intent”. The aggravating circumstances relate to the attribution of a specific fact, the use of social media and the aim of inciting racial or religious hatred. Parenzo has joined the case as a civil party. The trial will resume on 24 February with the examination of the defendant.