A pornographic website that posted doctored images of prominent Italian women, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and opposition leader Elly Schlein, has sparked outrage in Italy, The Guardian reported.The photos, accompanied by vulgar captions, were taken from social media or public sources, altered, and published on the Italian platform Phica, which has more than 700,000 subscribers. Images included women politicians at rallies, TV appearances, or on holiday in bikinis and were featured in the site’s “VIP section.”The scandal comes a week after Meta shut down an Italian Facebook account, Mia Moglie (My Wife), where men shared intimate photos of their wives or unknown women, The Guardian reported.Phica, a misspelt play on an Italian slang word for vagina, was launched in 2005 and operated largely unchecked until politicians from the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) filed legal complaints. Police are now investigating the matter.Meloni did not comment when asked by reporters, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported.Valeria Campagna, a PD politician, said in a Facebook post: “Not just photos in a swimsuit but moments from my public and private life. Beneath them there were sexist, vulgar and violent comments. I can’t stay silent because this story isn’t just about me. It’s about all of us. It’s about our right to be free, respected and to live without fear.”Other PD politicians, including Alessia Morani, Alessandra Moretti, and Lia Quartapelle, also filed complaints. Morani wrote on Instagram: “The comments beneath photos of me were unacceptable and obscene and offend my dignity as a woman. Unfortunately, I’m not alone. These sites must be shut down and banned. Enough is enough!”Story continues below this adQuartapelle added: “Like many other women, I was a victim of online abuse through unauthorised posting on a porn forum. I decided to fight back by filing a complaint. Not only for myself but, above all, for all the other women who have been victims of this violence.”Last month, Italy’s Senate approved a bill legally defining femicide for the first time, with life imprisonment, while also increasing penalties for stalking, sexual violence, and revenge porn.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:Italy