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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Italy Probes 'Kill Berlusconi' Facebook Gang

'Assassination gang' boasts 20K members

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(Newser) – Italian authorities have vowed to close down a Facebook group called "Let's Kill Berlusconi," even though its creators say it's harmless fun. Some 20,000 people from all over the world have joined the group, many offering their services to dispatch the embattled Italian leader in a variety of ways. Security chiefs warn that the joke group could inspire a real-life assassination, the Independent reports.

"What this site calls for is not a joke," said Italy's justice minister . "Although there is no evidence of a specific threat, this must nevertheless be investigated. There are several sites on Facebook which are odious and which have not only the prime minister but other members of the government as targets. But this is the only one that calls for a death." Italy is threatening to sue Facebook if the group isn't deleted.

Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi gestures at the opening of a textile industry fair in Milan, Italy, last month.
Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi gestures at the opening of a textile industry fair in Milan, Italy, last month.   (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar)
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi gestures as he delivers his address at a majority party rally in Benevento, southern Italy, last week.
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi gestures as he delivers his address at a majority party rally in Benevento, southern Italy, last week.   (AP Photo/Tano Pecoraro)
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I'm available to actually do the deed. But I wouldn't mind a bit of company inside. - A member of the 'Uccidiamo Berlusconi' Facebook group

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cochiserocks
Oct 23, 09 2:51 AM CDT
Him and Sarkosy so want to be like Obama, I wouldn't be surprised if he started the group himself just so he'd have some common ground next time they meet - only difference is that no one really cares enough to go arresting which ever kid started it. Reply
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jagerhans
Oct 23, 09 4:43 AM CDT
i am italian and joined the group for protest along with some law scholars and lawyers. now i am waiting for the cops. the minister maroni threatened with jail everyone who dared to join that group NO REGARD WHAT HE/SHE SAID and this once was called gagging people,dictatorship, censorship, fascism. if someone tells stupid things he/she is the only responsible for his own words and threatening everybody for just speaking there is an unacceptable attempt to scare people into submission. also, the group was openly and expressly a mockery . then you talk so bad about Obama... take a to in berlusconistan then tell what is really tyranny all about. answer me. but facebook REFUSED to close the group, only required a variation on the title. big lesson of democracy from you US people thank you guys. Reply
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jagerhans
Oct 24, 09 4:21 AM CDT
spite of the menaces of legal prosecution the group rose from 12000 to over 31000 members now. that is going to be a hell of a trial. Reply
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