Italian minister accused of possessing painting stolen from castle

Fresh controversy for Meloni government as junior culture minister Vittorio Sgarbi placed under investigation

The Italian government is embroiled in a fresh controversy after a junior culture minister was placed under investigation over allegations that a 16th-century painting in his possession was stolen from a castle more than a decade ago.

Vittorio Sgarbi, a well-known art critic, is also accused of tampering with the painting in order to disguise its origins.