Trial began Thursday for
flamboyant art critic Vittorio Sgarbi on charges of defaming
architect Maurizio Barabesi as a "criminal" who restyled Piazza
Santa Maria Novella with "shitty benches".
The trouble began in 2010 when Sgarbi stopped short of
identifying Barabesi by name but criticised him fiercely for his
work on the piazza for the Florentine Biennale of cultural
heritage.
Barabesi considered his reputation to have been damaged and
denounced the critic, who initially was acquitted by an
investigating judge but subsequently was indicted after an
appeal by prosecutors.
Defense lawyers for the critic presented a list of
witnesses to be called including former minister Sandro Bondi,
former superintendant Paola Grifoni and former Florence alderman
Eugenio Giani.
The trial was adjourned until March 19.
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