Placebo frontman Brian Molko has been charged with defamation after insulting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a concert.
Brian Molko began insulting Meloni, who leads the far-right Brothers of Italy party, in Italian on stage at the Sonic Park festival in Turin in July 2023.
Speaking to around 5,000 fans, the alternative rock band's vocalist called the prime minister a "piece of s***" and described her as "fascist" and "racist."
His words prompted cheers from the audience.
Prosecutors in Turin officially opened an investigation into Molko for "contempt of institutions" in August 2023.
Reports in Italy say that the Ministry of Justice is now allowing prosecutors to move forward with legal proceedings.
He could be fined up to 5,000 euros if found guilty.