‘Similar to criminal conspiracy’: draconian new law targets Italian ravers

Bill passed by Giorgia Meloni’s rightwing coalition means event organisers can have their phones tapped and face six years in jail

Until last week, Santano Viperillo was just a music producer and promoter living in Naples. But on 30 December, everything changed and he became a potential criminal thanks to a new government crackdown on illegal raves. If Viperillo (who goes by a pseudonym) continues to organise the parties he has been running since the 90s, initially as part of the famed 1990s Neapolitan rave crew United Tribes, he could face up to six years in prison.

The so-called “decreto anti-rave” was the first bill proposed by Giorgia Meloni’s rightwing coalition when the prime minister took office in October. Now officially approved by parliament, it makes organising raves a specific crime punishable with three to six years of jail time, fines of up to €10,000 (£8,900) and the confiscation of equipment. The new statute also allows the surveillance of groups who are suspected of holding these unauthorised events, including tapping their phones.