PD's Schlein calls on Meloni to intervene in Salis case

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 28 - Democratic Party (PD) leader Elly Schlein on Thursday called on Premier Giorgia Meloni to intervene in the case of Ilaria Salis after a Budapest court rejected a petition for house arrest from the Italian teacher accused of involvement in an attack on far-right activists.
    "Ilaria Salis will remain in prison in Budapest," said the leader of the opposition, centre-left group.
    "After once again being brought into the courtroom with chains on her wrists and ankles and on a leash, today the Hungarian judges also decided to deny her house arrest.
    "It is an unacceptable slap in the face of the rights of a inmate and of one of our compatriots.
    "We expect Giorgia Meloni's government to react immediately".
    Meloni has friendly relations with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
    Salis's father said Meloni's government should "examine its conscience" in the light of Thursday's events.
    "It's not a good look for our ministers," said Roberto Salis.
    "The chains do not depend on the judge, but on the prison system, and, therefore, on the executive.
    "The Italian government can and must do something so that my daughter is not treated like a dog".
    Former industry minister Carlo Calenda, the leader of the centrist, opposition Azione party, called on the European Union to get involved.
    "It is unheard of that an Italian citizen is treated in this way in an EU member country," Calenda said via Twitter.
    "The government, which has failed to make its case via bilateral relations, should immediately request the intervention of the European Commission," he said via X. "Funds to Hungary should be stopped now".
    Lucio Malan, the Senate whip for Meloni's right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, said the government was doing what it can for Salis.
    "The decision to deny house arrest is a procedural issue," Malan said.
    "As for the treatment of the accused, we don't like it and were are are against this type of treatment.
    "Even in Italy the accused often used to arrive, and sometimes still arrive, not in that way, but they are put inside a cage, which is not great for human dignity.
    "Whether she is guilty or not is another issue, which is why the trial is held.
    "But the government has taken action to obtain treatment that respects human rights".
    (see related stories). (ANSA).