Italian PM Meloni duped by Russian prankster posing as AU official

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Friday that a diplomatic adviser had resigned, taking responsibility for a prank call fiasco.
FILE PHOTO: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacts during a meeting of European heads of state or government in Granada, Spain October 6, 2023.
FILE PHOTO: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacts during a meeting of European heads of state or government in Granada, Spain October 6, 2023. REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo

ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Friday that a diplomatic adviser had resigned, taking responsibility for a prank call fiasco.

Earlier this week, Meloni's office said she had a phone conversation with a Russian comedian who successfully posed as a high-ranking African Union official.

During the call which took place in September, Meloni spoke of international "fatigue" with the war in Ukraine and complained that Italy had little support from European partners in dealing with migration.

"This matter was not handled well, we are all sorry, Ambassador (Francesco) Talo took responsibility for it," Meloni said, announcing that her aide had quit.

(Reporting by Angelo Amante and Alvise Armellini, editing by Keith Weir)

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