Calenda dares RT Telegram trolls after threats, publishes Rome office address and invites confrontation

Telegram threats after RT criticism

A Telegram channel linked to Russia Today (RT) filled with threats against Carlo Calenda after the senator had publicly demanded that Italians cooperating with the Russian broadcaster be prosecuted under Article 241 of the Italian penal code, which carries a minimum 12-year prison term. Messages on the channel warned that "who sows wind reaps the storm" and that the senator would eventually "come to a bad end."

Calenda's defiant response

Rather than ignore the intimidation, Calenda escalated. On X he wrote: "I personally feel no concern for these cowardly Russian lackeys." He then published the address of his office on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and invited the posters to meet him.

“I arrive around nine, unescorted. Kicking you in the backside would be extremely satisfying.”

The exchange follows a parliamentary question Calenda co-signed asking Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to act against RT after it organised a festival in Bologna in April. The European Commission had called on Italian authorities to apply sanctions, but no measures were taken.

Political solidarity across the spectrum

Azione closed ranks immediately. Party president Elena Bonetti said the threats were "an interesting read for anyone who still denies that defending Italy from Russian interference is the first duty of parties that are not traitors to the fatherland." Chamber group leader Matteo Richetti announced a formal request to the Interior Ministry to assess shutting down the RT channel, and vice-secretary Ettore Rosato labelled supporters of RT "traitors."

“While a senator of the Republic receives threats, Matteo Salvini rushes to declare that it would be 'fundamental' for Italy to restore good relations with Russia.”

Condemnation also came from across the aisle. Senate President Ignazio La Russa, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, and Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli all expressed solidarity, with Crosetto calling any intimidation against participants in democratic debate "unacceptable and to be condemned firmly."

Broader tensions over Russian influence

The episode highlights the deep quarrel inside Italian politics over relations with Moscow. Bonetti's attack on League leader Matteo Salvini and Rosato's blunt language mirror a wider rift between parties that want to isolate Russia and those pushing to normalise ties. Giovanni Donzelli and Galeazzo Bignami of Brothers of Italy also lined up against the disinformation campaign, joined by Maurizio Lupi of We Moderates and Ivan Scalfarotto of Italia Viva, who said the Kremlin megaphones' attacks confirm Calenda is "on the right side."