Vittorio Sgarbi is Italian Secretary of State for Culture in the ultraconservative government of Giorgia Meloni. The 71-year-old art historian has regularly attracted controversy in recent years and been the subject of several investigations.
He is notably the target of a procedure by the Italian competition watchdog who suspects him of having monetized his services as a speaker. “I am known for my imprecations but I have no inclination towards cruelty and I do not want anyone to die,” he assured Friday.