Italy: Journalists Under Islamist Threat

For the past few months, we have been following the story regarding the conservative Italian newspaper, Il Giornale, and how they are under threat from Islamist in Italy. At the center of this controversy is Mohammed Hannoun, who is accused of being one of the top Hamas leaders in Italy. He and three other men are in prison on terrorism-related charges. Today, an appeals court in Italy ruled in their favor and sent the case back to the Genoa court for reexamination. The 4 subjects remain in custody in the meantime.

Giulia Sorrentino, a young reporter for Il Giornale, has written countless articles on migrant crime in Italy as well as reporting on the activities of Islamists like Hannoun. For that, she has received threats and harassment from Hannoun’s followers. The director of Il Giornale, Tommaso Cerno, is also outspoken on the topic of Islamist extremism in Italy and stands by Sorrentino’s reporting.

Over the past few years, we have translated several of Sorrentno’s articles into English. I have great admiration for her fearless reporting. I wish more European newspapers had the courage to report events as they truly are today in Europe..

The below editorial in today’s Il Giornale brings us up to date on the ongoing controversy. It is translated by Fousesquawk.

National-Hate and Violence

The threats to Il Giornale after the Hannoun sentence from his men: “Nazis and Zionists”

After the decision by the (Court of) Cassation, attacks against our newspaper are arriving. Director Cerno: “Violent people protected by the pro-Iran left, we will continue our battle against Islamist terrorists and anarchists.”

Editor web-  April 9, 2026 at 14:27

The Court of Cassation has ruled and upheld the arguments of the defense attorneys of Mohammed Hannoun and the other three persons jailed today in a maximum security facility, accused of terrorism. Threatening our reporter, Giulia Sorrentino, and the director, Tommaso Cerno, overnight was one of the associates of Hannoun, Amir Abdaljawwad. In a story specifically tagging our reporter, he wrote: “I hope to see your expression and that of your Nazi friends after all of your evidence has been thrown out. I suggest a way to take advantage of these and the pages of your newspaper: They could be used to wipe your ass,” he writes, attaching the post in which he explained how positive the opinion of the Court was for them. But certainly, all this will not stop us; we will continue to uncover who the men are connected to fundamentalism and Islamic terrorism in Italy, who use  charity to finance the men tied to terrorism, and repeating that is Director Cerno: “Violent people protected by the pro-Iran left, we will continue our battle against Islamic terrorists and anarchists.” 

“While awaiting the complete publication of the Court of Cassation report and the review order, the decision yesterday on the Hannoun case is surprising. As we await these details, the hundreds of pieces of evidence that emerged in these months against a group of people, who-while being wiretapped- praised attacks, rejoiced in the deaths of Jewish civilians, and listened to songs that glorified October 7, remain. I also recall that two Parliamentary questions were filed on this case in the Parliamentary Chamber, co-signed by myself and several other colleagues, which will continue to guarantee the inquiry into the full truth and the responsibility for these serious facts.  What is not surprising, on the other hand, is the latest disgraceful reaction against the Il Giornale journalist, Giulia Sorrentino, and the director, Tommaso Cerno, following the news yesterday, to whom go our total solidarity,” said Federico Mollicone, deputy of Fratelli d’Italia (party) and president of the Cultural Commission of the Chamber (of Deputies). Who then added: “While the left continues to be silent in a manner (that is) complicit- after having invited pro-Hamas and pro-Iran persons to Chamber of Deputies meetings- we,” he adds, “will continue to work to tear away the veil of hypocrisy and the numerous shadows  that surround the activities of Hannoun, from the suspicious financial flows to his openly anti-Semitic positions.” 

 ”Given the seriousness of the circumstantial evidence that has emerged in the investigation by the Genoa prosecutor, the decision of the (Court of) Cassation to nullify the review order that confirmed the preventative custody in jail of Mohammed Hannoun, accused of being at the top of the Hamas leadership in Italy, and three other persons, including Riyad Albustanji, 60-year-old imam and right hand man of Hannoun, of whom there are photos circulating online in which he brandishes an RPG rocket grenade launcher together with militant Islamists from Hamas, with face covered and armed to the teeth, is surprising,” the Fratelli D’Italia deputy, Sara Kelany states. Who then continues: ” While we are waiting to learn the reasons for this ruling, the consequences of releasing these people are worrisome for national security, given the extremist attitudes and obvious connections to Islamist terrorism. After the ruling, the first threats have already arrived against the daily newspaper, Il Giornale, which has always followed this matter with attention: Solidarity to Director Cerno and reporter Sorrentino, objects of insults from an activist close to Hannoun.