The 55-year-old woman was attacked on a sidewalk in the city of Piacenza early Sunday, local officials said. The incident was filmed by someone in an apartment overlooking the street and the perpetrator was arrested. Police confirmed the arrest and said the man was taken into custody as inquiries continued. Meloni, whose Brothers of Italy party is leading the polls ahead of the Sept. 25 national election, tweeted the video, which was posted on a newspaper website with the image blurred but the woman’s cries being heard clearly. “One cannot remain silent in the face of this appalling episode of sexual violence against a Ukrainian woman carried out during the day in Piacenza by an asylum seeker,” Meloni wrote. “A hug to this woman. I will do everything I can to restore safety in our cities.” Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The tweet sparked a barrage of criticism online, including from political opponents of Meloni. “It is inappropriate to use images of rape. Even more indecent to do it for electoral purposes,” wrote Enrico Letta, head of the center-left Democratic party (PD), on Twitter. Another centrist leader, Carlo Calenda, called Meloni’s tweet “immoral.” Igiaba Scego, a prominent Italian writer of Somali heritage, accused Meloni of exploiting the rape victim. “Offered as click voyeurism, rather than protected. This election campaign is horrible,” he wrote. Meloni, who has called for a naval blockade of North Africa to prevent migrant boats from setting sail, said on Facebook that her opponents had used rape to attack her while ignoring the victim to avoid confronting what she called immigration emergency. Letta’s post said: “Respect for people and victims always comes first,” and Kalenda wrote, “only victims matter.”
