Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani disclosed on Saturday that he has been targeted by hackers in retaliation for Italy’s support of Ukraine. In a social media statement, Tajani revealed that cybercriminals had been circulating his personal data on the dark web for several days, seeking additional information and exposing him and his family to further threats and intimidation.
“Our stance on Ukraine is the political reason why I have been targeted: for these criminal organisations, defending the freedom of a sovereign state and taking a clear stand in favour of a nation’s democracy and independence is dangerous,” Tajani wrote.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a statement Saturday expressing full support for Tajani. “The sale of confidential information concerning public officials is a cause for great concern and must be tackled with the utmost determination,” Meloni said.
The revelation coincides with a confirmed cyberattack on BBT SE, the company constructing the Brenner Base Tunnel — a 55-kilometre rail link connecting Innsbruck, Austria, and Fortezza, Italy. The company reported the breach occurred on 17 October, stating it immediately activated security protocols, isolated affected systems, and engaged external cybersecurity specialists to conduct forensic analysis. The attack reportedly compromised non-public data accessed through the company’s internet-connected network.
The Tiroler Tageszeitung, which first reported the incident, said initial investigations point to a pro-Russian hacking group known as Everest.
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