Anger over justice official’s ‘firing squad’ comments, EU slams Venice Biennale for letting in Russia, and more news on Wednesday.
Anger over justice official’s ‘firing squad’ comments
Members of Italy’s opposition expressed anger on Tuesday over anti-judge comments made by Justice Minister Carlo Nordio’s Chief of Staff Giusi Bartolozzi.
Speaking in an interview on Italian TV over the weekend, Bartolozzi described the judiciary as a “firing squad” that voters should “get rid of” by voting yes in an upcoming referendum on justice reform on March 22nd-23rd.
Bartolozzi is facing possible criminal charges over Italy’s release of Libyan warlord Osama Almasri last year, Italian news agency Ansa reported. Senior ministers including Nordio have been granted parliamentary immunity over the affair.
“It’s as if the interior minister’s chief of staff were saying we should get rid of the police,” said Green Europe spokesperson Angelo Bonelli on Tuesday, calling on Bartolozzi to “resign immediately”.
EU slams Venice Biennale for letting in Russia
A decision by the Venice Biennale to allow Russia to participate in this year’s event came under fire from the European Union on Tuesday, which warned it could cut funding, AFP reported.
“We strongly condemn the decision” and are looking at taking action, including suspending an EU grant to the organising body, two top members of the European Commission said in a statement.
Kyiv last weekend called on the Biennale to reverse its decision and to exclude Russia, as it had done at the last two Venice art exhibitions, in 2022 and 2024.
Italy’s government has also opposed the Biennale’s move, saying it was made “entirely independently” of Rome’s wishes.
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Italy buys rare Caravaggio portrait for 30 million euros
Italy has paid 30 million euros for a Caravaggio painting of the future pope Urban VIII, the culture ministry said on Tuesday, a work that will enter the Barberini museum collection in Rome.
The portrait of Monsignor Maffeo Barberini was painted by Italian master Caravaggio when the nobleman born in 1568 was in his 30s, years before he became pope, according to AFP.
“This is a work of exceptional importance,” Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said in a statement, adding that it was “one of the most significant investments” ever made by the state for an artwork.
The previous owners of the work, who were not specified, had allowed the portrait to be exhibited to the public for an exhibit on Caravaggio at Palazzo Barberini – the noble family’s historic home in central Rome – which ended in February 2025.