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A man views a Facebook web page for a chat group called "Uccidiamo Berlusconi" ("Let's kill Berlusconi") - Source: Reuters -
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Italian officials have ordered an investigation into Facebook
groups called Let's Kill Berlusconi, saying they incite hatred and
might lead to a real rather than virtual attack on the prime
minister.
There are at least three sites with the Italian title of Uccidiamo
Berlusconi, with a total of some 16,540 members.
Each has a picture of Silvio Berlusconi in a red circle with a
diagonal line across his face, on which is written: "Berlusconi Get
Lost."
"These groups foment hate for Berlusconi, they call for his murder
... I expect magistrates to do their duty," said Justice Minister
Angelino Alfano.
The media said police were considering blocking the first of the
sites, which started late last year and whose numbers have grown in
recent months as Berlusconi's legal woes and private life put him
at the centre of heated controversy.
Earlier this month, Italy's top court stripped Berlusconi of his
immunity from prosecution, paving the way for the resumption of
corruption trials against the conservative media mogul, a move his
critics saw as a major victory.
Demented
But even opposition leaders, such as Democratic Party head Dario
Franceschini, joined the centre-right government in saying that
Facebook, which is based in Palo Alto, California, should black out
the site itself before police have to do it.
"This is demented," Franceschini said.
Several hundred new members joined the Facebook groups on Thursday
morning alone.
Some of those who posted comments on Thursday said they joined
after reading news reports, but rejected suggestions that they
would actually harm Berlusconi.
They said the site was a provocation and intended to be a place
where people could express their opposition to Berlusconi's
government and his policies.
It is not the first time Facebook groups have come under scrutiny
by Italian officials.
In January, leading Italian anti-Mafia activists expressed alarm
that Facebook pages dedicated to the praise of some of Cosa
Nostra's most notorious and bloody bosses had attracted hundreds of
young admirers.
At that time, magistrates said those who joined those groups could
in principle be investigated on suspicion of aiding and abetting
organised crime.
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