Five members of the far-right organization Casapound have been sentenced to 18 months in prison by an Italian court in Bari for re-establishing the fascist party. Additionally, seven other members received sentences of two and a half years for assaulting leftist activists during a protest in 2018, which had called into question the actions of the current Italian Minister of Transportation, Matteo Salvini. This ruling highlights a definitive legal action against far-right extremism in Italy at a time when such movements are becoming more prominent in various parts of Europe.

This case is particularly notable as it marks the first time Italian justice has implemented the "Scelba Law," which prohibits the re-establishment of the fascist party, against Casapound. Enacted in 1952, this law had not been used until now, making this verdict a historic milestone in Italy's ongoing struggle against fascism. Many in the Italian media regard this ruling as a watershed moment, potentially influencing future legal actions against similar groups.

Casapound members refer to themselves as "the fascists of the third millennium," and their history includes occupying a building near Rome's Termini Railway Station two decades ago. The convictions serve as a reminder of Italy's historical turmoil with fascism and the ongoing need for scrutiny of far-right movements and ideologies in contemporary politics. As Europe confronts rising right-wing populism, the implications of this case resonate far beyond Italy's borders, potentially setting a precedent for how similar cases could be treated in other countries.