General Roberto Vannacci, leader of the Futuro Nazionale party, published an AI-generated video on his social media channels depicting a fictitious version of President Sergio Mattarella granting clemency to Mario Roggero, a 72-year-old jeweler from Grinzane Cavour currently detained at the Bollate prison. The clip, according to multiple news outlets, portrays Vannacci in the likeness of a Roman commander created through artificial intelligence, accompanied by a link to an online petition calling for the jeweler's pardon.

Mario Roggero was sentenced to 14 years and 9 months for the killing of two men who were fleeing after an attempted robbery at his jewelry shop on the evening of April 28, 2021, in which a third individual was also injured. The sentence was confirmed by the Court of Cassation, and Roggero entered the Bollate facility on July 17.

From prison, Roggero has adopted a more conciliatory tone toward the institutions. In an interview, he expressed the hope that President Mattarella would consider his clemency request with attention and humanity, setting aside the controversies that have surrounded his case. Previously, the jeweler had used harsher language toward the Quirinale.

According to reports, Roggero shares a cell with another inmate and has been assigned administrative duties in the prison library and prisoner assistance center from 8:30 to 18:00. He has expressed concern for his family's safety, as his wife and daughters are managing the reopened family business without him. Senator Giorgio Bergesio of the Lega visited Roggero in prison, describing him as well-groomed and in decent spirits.

The family has launched an appeal on social media, with Roggero's wife Mariangela Sandrone requesting an act of clemency to allow an elderly man to spend his final years with his family.

The video's publication comes amid a broader debate on the use of artificial intelligence in political communication. Two days earlier, a joint initiative by Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni against deepfakes had been reported.

Within the center-right coalition, the episode has fueled internal tensions. According to a poll cited by ANSA, the center-right would win only with the inclusion of Futuro Nazionale. Forza Italia leader Antonio Tajani commented that Vannacci was the one who left the coalition.

In a separate development, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted on Instagram in praise of an elderly woman named Francesca who, during protests in Bologna, positioned herself between violent demonstrators and police forces. The protests followed the death of Mohamed Fakir, a 42-year-old Tunisian man who died after being restrained by two officers who intervened to calm him. The incident has become a political matter involving Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore of the Democratic Party and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who accused the mayor of a serious underestimation in convening the public gathering. The mayor responded that the criticism would not solve any public order problems.

During the protest, 64 officers were injured and public property was damaged, with the city estimating approximately 200,000 euros in damages. The lawyer for the two officers under investigation stated that the CT scan results show no signs of posterior chest compression or bone fractures typically associated with death by asphyxiation from crushing.

The city of Bologna has defended its handling of the protest notification, noting that the relevant regulation requires organizers to inform the questore at least three days in advance but does not specify the method of communication.