Politician Who Slighted Italy’s Flag Sentenced
Italian firebrand Umberto Bossi, the leader of the anti-foreigner, anti-European Northern League party and a partner in Italy’s incoming center-right government, has received a 16-month suspended sentence for referring to the Italian flag as toilet paper.
A judge in the northern province of Como convicted the 59-year-old politician of contempt Tuesday and sentenced him to 16 months in prison. The judge, however, suspended the term, which means that Bossi will not have to go to jail.
Bossi’s lawyer, Matteo Brigandi, confirmed the sentence Wednesday and said his client will appeal.
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