Italian Supreme Court: Defamation is badmouthing on Facebook even without naming the person.

The Supreme Court overturned a decision by the Court of Appeal which acquitted a police inspector who had insulted a colleague on his facebook page without naming him.

According to the Supreme Court "For the purpose of integration of defamation it is sufficient that the person whose reputation is injured is identified by a limited number of people , regardless of the indication of the name ."

The Supreme Court Judges observed that: "The crime of defamation does not require specific intent. Instead, it is sufficient for the existence of the subjective awareness (i) the willing of damaging another's reputation and (ii) that the insult will know by at least two persons."