Italian foreign minister says hackers leaked his personal data

What the report says

Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said his personal data had been posted online by what he described as “cyber-criminals,” in an incident he linked to Italy’s support for Ukraine. Writing on X, Tajani said the material had been circulated on the dark web for several days and that the activity had exposed him to further threats and intimidation. He also said the hackers had been targeting members of his family, though he did not provide details about the threats.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni blamed pro-Russian hackers for the leak and said she stood in full solidarity with Tajani. In her statement, she said the sale of confidential information about public officials was a serious concern and should be dealt with firmly. Moscow had not responded publicly to the accusation at the time of the report.

The BBC said Tajani argued that Italy’s stance on Ukraine was the political reason behind the targeting. He said defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and democracy had made him a target for criminal groups. Tajani, who is also deputy prime minister, said the government was treating the threats seriously.

The report comes against the backdrop of Italy’s continuing humanitarian and military support for Ukraine in the war with Russia. The incident also follows broader concerns in Europe about cyberattacks and the leaking of sensitive personal data.