Yesterday, the hearing of Don Mattia Ferrari and Luca Casarini, activists of Mediterranea, and victims like others of the Paragon espionage case, with military malware "Graphite " in use by the secret services, was scheduled at the Eurocamera Justice Committee. As was the case with the debate in the Italian parliament, the united right ( Lega, Fdi and Forza Italia) prevented the European parliament from hearing two Italian citizens who are victims and witnesses of this very serious violation of constitutional freedoms: putting activists and journalists inconvenient to the government under control with spyware is typical of regimes.
The right does not want it to be discussed, would have wanted this case to be covered up from the beginning, first taking refuge in "state secrecy" and then entrusting to the opacity of Copasir, a subject that would instead deserve public reflection, given the implications with Libya and the criminal activity of the militias. The argument used to prevent the hearing at the Justice Commission, was "there are only Ferrari and Casarini." Apart from the fact that a representative of Meta was also supposed to report in addition to our activists, but what does that mean? Couldn't more hearings be scheduled later and in the meantime collect these testimonies? Or is the problem that, as announced by press previews, evidence of actual surveillance activity, including stalking and attempted intrusions into the homes of witnesses to the criminal activities of Libyan militias against women, men and children, is too scary for the Italian government? We would be delighted if to be heard in addition to Mediterranea, there were, for example, Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, or service officials such as General Giovanni Caravelli who handles relations with Libyan militias.
And in fact we have written to the Commission precisely so that they can be heard as well, perhaps on April 23, the very date on which our testimony is set and hopefully maintained. Is the right, the "free speech" right of Vance and Trump, okay with free speech only when it concerns incitement to hatred, propaganda against human rights, racism? And instead when someone can challenge power, then they should be spied on and gagged?
We are not afraid. And if the European and Italian right-wingers have an ounce of courage, let them confront each other publicly and in front of everyone. On April 23 we will be at the new hearing in the European Parliament, the Paragon case will not be buried.
Brussels, April 9, 2025
