Arms-to-Ukraine opponent has Rai contract terminated

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 24 - State broadcaster Rai said Thursday that it was not continuing with the contract of an expert who is critical of the policy of supplying arms to Ukraine after the Russian invasion.
    Professor Alessandro Orsini, a lecturer on the sociology of international terrorism at the private Luiss University in Rome, has said supplying arms to Kyiv risks drawing out the war, causing more deaths, and fuelling an escalation that could lead to the use of weapons of mass destruction.
    A furore broke out after it was reported that Orsini has a contract to make six appearances on the "Cartabianca" show on the Rai 3 channel for a fee of around 2,000 euros per appearance.
    Andrea Romano of the Democratic Party (PD) had said it was unacceptable to use public money to finance "Putin propaganda windbags".
    However, several figures expressed reservations about Orsini's contract being terminated because of his opinions.
    Cartabianca presenter Bianca Berlinguer said she opposed the decision, as it limited her ability to choose her guests and provide debate with a variety of opinions.
    Orsini, meanwhile, said via Facebook that he was now willing to appear on the show for free. (ANSA).