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Among the gifts that went up for auction is a scarf that Prime Minister Edi Rama gave him some time ago.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's plan to sell gifts received while in office has failed after the auction house was embroiled in a criminal scandal.
Among the gifts that went up for auction is a scarf that Prime Minister Edi Rama gave him some time ago.
Bertolami Fine Art, selected to manage the sale, is being investigated over alleged illegal trafficking of archaeological artifacts.
The company's founder and owner has been placed under a suspension order, according to Italian media reports, in connection with the case, writes "Politico".
Prosecutors allege that a ring of traffickers stole archaeological artifacts and passed them through auction houses, including Bertolami, to clean the items and reintroduce them into the legal art market. Bertolami has denied any wrongdoing in the past.
Meloni's office said it was unaware of the investigation at the time of the appointment, noting that the investigation was subject to judicial confidentiality. Palazzo Chigi said it severed ties with the auction house immediately after details of the case were reported by Il Fatto Quotidiano.
Under Italian law, the prime minister cannot personally keep gifts worth more than 300 euros received from foreign leaders. As a result, most of these items are stored in a secure room at Palazzo Chigi and are not on public display. There is no official inventory.
However, some of the gifts Meloni has received have sparked public interest. These include an action figure given to her by Argentine President Javier Milley, known for posing with a chainsaw, as well as a diamond necklace given to her during her official visit to Uzbekistan in January 2023 by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The auction, now cancelled, was expected to raise around 800,000 euros, with most of the proceeds going to charities.
A smaller portion was intended to cover auction house fees.
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