Addeo Case: Teacher's Lawyers Denounce "Formally Illegitimate Suspension"

Naples – The story of Professor Stefano Addeo, the teacher at the Medi high school in Cicciano who ended up in a storm for a post on Facebook in which he wished death to the daughter of the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is enriched with a new legal chapter.

His lawyers, Francesco Di Giovanni and Chiara Missori, have strongly contested the precautionary suspension from service decided by the Campania School Board, defining it as "formally illegitimate".

According to the lawyers, the measure was issued “unheard of and without prior notification to the worker,” violating the established procedures. The lawyers emphasize that the measure, which also involves a 50% reduction in gross monthly pay, was adopted in the absence of both criminal proceedings and disciplinary proceedings formally notified to the teacher.

“The minimum term of 5 days to allow the worker to send his justifications to the employer was not guaranteed”, explain Di Giovanni and Missori, adding that “it is clear in jurisprudence that the precautionary suspension cannot in any way lead to the reduction or suppression of the salary”.

In the meantime, Professor Addeo has launched a new message directed at Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, published online on the website of the newspaper Il Roma. In an exclusive video message, Addeo reiterated that he takes “full moral and disciplinary responsibility” for what he wrote, and renewed his appeal for a meeting.

“President, I was wrong. I ask your forgiveness. I do not want to justify myself, but to explain my state of mind. I do not seek indulgence, but I feel the human need to be heard. I would like to tell you this by looking you in the eyes,” the professor said. Addeo attempted to explain his state of mind, saying he was shaken by the news of the deaths of children in Gaza, but clarified that “that pain in no way justifies the written words.”

The case, which has sparked a strong public debate, is now also moving to the legal level, with the professor's defenders ready to do battle on the procedural front.