Former Italian health minister not facing murder charges over COVID-19 vaccines

Context

Facebook users (archived here and here) are sharing a screenshot of an article showing a picture of former Italian health minister Roberto Speranza beneath the headline "First world leader faces murder charges over vaccines deaths." Other posts contain thumbnails for videos with the same title showing a picture of Speranza.

Speranza served as Italy’s health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic from September 2019 to October 2022. 

The article used for the screenshot was published on December 13, 2023, by The People’s Voice, a website known for publishing false and misleading pieces. In the article, it is claimed that Speranza "has become the first world leader to face multiple murder charges over the millions of deaths caused by mRNA vaccines." Infowars host Alex Jones made similar claims in an X (formerly Twitter) post that has been viewed 1.5 million times. 

However, no murder charges have been leveled against Speranza yet. An investigation could be launched against the former health minister due to complaints regarding adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines, but, according to Speranza’s lawyer, the public prosecutor has requested the case be dismissed. 

In fact

The People’s Voice article contains a headline from Italian conservative newspaper La Verità that reads "Speranza indagato per omicidio" - "Speranza investigated for murder."

On November 22, 2023, La Verità and the television program Fuori dal coro reported that Speranza had been added to the register of suspects of the Rome Prosecutor's Office after complaints of alleged damages caused by the COVID-19 vaccines. According to reporting from Fuori dal coro, the Public Prosecutor's Office of Rome was set to open an investigation against the former health minister, but the investigation had yet to receive a green light from the Court of Ministers. This judicial body handles cases involving Italian Cabinet members. 

The day after the news of the possible investigation broke, Speranza’s lawyer released a statement to national media noting that the reported acts "had been forwarded to the competent court of ministers with a simultaneous request for archiving." 

According to the Italian newspaper la Repubblica, the public prosecutor's office has decided not to proceed with the investigation, and the Court of Ministers will now have to decide whether or not to let the investigation go forward. 

Logically Facts has contacted the Public Prosecutor's Office of Rome for comment. 

In 2023, Speranza, former Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte, and 17 other people were under investigation for mishandling the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Court of Ministers in Brescia dismissed the case against the two politicians as it found accusations "baseless." There are no murder charges leveled against them.

The verdict

Former Italian health minister Roberto Speranza is not facing murder charges over COVID-19 vaccines. A complaint against Speranza of alleged damages caused by the COVID-19 vaccine has been issued, and an investigation into the former health minister could be opened if the Court of Ministers decides so. However, according to Speranza’s lawyer, the Public Prosecutor's Office of Rome has recommended that the Court dismiss the case. Therefore, we have marked this claim as misleading. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19, including symptoms, prevention, and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organization or your national healthcare authority.