Probe opened into FdI member's 'Fascist salute'

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 22 - Milan prosecutors on Thursday opened what they said was an "exploratory" probe into an alleged Fascist salute made by a Brothers of Italy (FdI) Lombardy councillor which may fall foul of laws against apology of Fascism.
    Lombardy Executive Councillor for Security Romano La Russa is under fire after he apparently joined other mourners making a straight-armed fascist salute at the funeral of his brother-in-law, a historic figure on the Italian right in Milan.
    A video of the incident went viral online and sparked calls for Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana, of the League, and La Russa's party, Giorgia Meloni's FdI,, to reprimand him.
    La Russa, the younger brother of former defence minister and FdI bigwig Ignazio La Russa, said it was not a fascist salute but part of a usual funeral ritual saluting his fallen comrade, brother-in-law Alberto Stabilini.
    Milan prosecutors said Thursday their prove had not yet posited possible charges or placed anyone under investigation.
    They said the probe had been opened on the basis of video footage of the alleged incident.
    League leader Matteo Salvini said Thursday that La Russa "could have spared us a Roman salute".
    He said: "When I go to a funeral I pray and I don't raise my arm in a straight-arm salute. He certainly could have spared us it".
    He said it was up to Governor Fontana to decide whether La Russa should now quit as security councillor as a result of the furore.
    FdI is spearheading a centre right alliance comprising the League and Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia (FI) party for Sunday's general election, which it is expected to win potentially making Meloni Italy's first woman premier. (ANSA).