"I assert the right to political criticism, especially when the dignity of Sardinia and its people is at stake." This is what former MP Roberto Capelli wrote after being convicted of defamation , which carries a suspended fine of €800, plus court costs. The decision was issued by the Court of Nuoro, under Judge Valentina Rostellato, against the former MP, who was found liable for defamation against Eugenio Zoffili . Capelli, on social media, commented on the sentence with these words: "I used the wrong expression, but I wasn't referring to Zoffili."
According to the prosecution, Capelli is responsible for damaging the reputation of the League representative through a Facebook post published on August 26, 2020. The message, without ever directly mentioning the politician's name, referred to "that cerebral mononuclear patient they sent to be proconsul in Sardinia."
The events date back to the first summer following the Covid pandemic, in a context of strong political tensions and controversy related to the reopening of nightclubs on the island , a decision supported by the then President of the Region Christian Solinas and followed by an increase in infections.
After the ruling, Capelli commented: "I acknowledge the court's ruling against me for a phrase published on social media during the controversy surrounding Covid and the portrayal of Sardinians as alleged 'spreaders'." The former parliamentarian acknowledged the excessive tone : "The expression used was wrong, excessive, over the top. I wouldn't repeat it. Politics, even in the harshest criticism, must maintain restraint and respect." But he firmly rejected the identification of the recipient: "I wasn't referring to the Hon. Zoffili. I didn't know him, I had no personal disagreement with him, nor any political reason for directing that criticism at him."
Capelli reiterates that it was a political comment related to the context of the health emergency and regional management: "Mine was a political comment, harsh, born in defense of Sardinia and the Sardinians." Regarding the expression "Salvini's proconsul," he adds: "It had a specific political meaning and was not referring to Zoffili." The former MP also disputes the interpretation of the incident: "Feeling implicated doesn't mean you're objectively the target of criticism."
Capelli also emphasizes that the prosecutor had requested an acquittal, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the identification of the post's recipient. The court instead ruled in favor of a conviction. "You can censor a misinterpreted word," he concludes, "but a conviction should not be based on the subjective attribution of an unnamed, unidentified, and unidentifiable recipient." Finally, he reiterates: "I assert the right to political criticism, especially when the dignity of Sardinia and the Sardinians is at stake. But one thing remains firm: I never intended to offend the Honorable Zoffili, and I was not referring to him."
