Italy proposes prison and urban ban for damaging monuments

Italy's far-right party Fratelli d'Italia has introduced a bill in the Senate to impose severe penalties on activists who damage monuments. The bill, first signed by Senator Marco Lisei, modifies Article 635 of the penal code to punish those who deface or soil public property, including cultural heritage sites, with fines from €600 to €1,000 and imprisonment from six months to three years. It also applies the 'Daspo urbano' (urban ban) from decree law 14/2017, allowing prefects to prohibit activists from approaching monuments within ten meters for six months to a year, with fines of €500 to €1,000 for violations. The proposal follows recent climate protests, including the blackening of the Barcaccia fountain in Rome by Ultima Generazione on April 1, 2023, and an attack on Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano has separately advanced a bill imposing administrative fines of €20,000 to €60,000 for destruction or deterioration of cultural assets, and €10,000 to €40,000 for defacement, with proceeds going to the Ministry of Culture for restoration. Ultima Generazione spokesperson Simone Ficicchia responded that the group is ready for legal risks and imprisonment, criticizing the government for focusing on punishing nonviolent actions instead of addressing the climate crisis.