ENI SLAPP Lawsuits
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are legal actions used to intimidate critics by burdening them with the cost and stress of litigation.
Since 2019, the Italian oil and gas company ENI has filed multiple defamation lawsuits against journalists, environmental organisations, and activists who have criticised its environmental impact or business practices.
Investigations indicate that at least six lawsuits have been filed since 2019, seeking more than €10 million in damages.
Civil society organisations argue that these cases are intended to silence criticism and discourage public participation in environmental debates.
2019 – Lawsuits against journalists and media outlets
ENI began filing a series of defamation lawsuits targeting journalists and media organisations investigating the company’s activities.
Among the targets was the Italian public broadcaster RAI, particularly its investigative program Report.
These lawsuits sought large financial damages and were widely criticised by press freedom organisations as attempts to intimidate investigative journalism.
July 26, 2023 – Lawsuit against Greenpeace Italy and ReCommon
After Greenpeace Italy and ReCommon launched Italy’s first climate liability lawsuit against ENI, the company filed a defamation lawsuit against the organisations.
The lawsuit seeks financial compensation and challenges statements made by the NGOs regarding ENI’s contribution to climate change.
Environmental groups describe the case as a classic climate SLAPP, aimed at discouraging accountability litigation.
October 7, 2024 – Lawsuit against Greenpeace Netherlands, Greenpeace Italy and ReCommon
ENI filed another lawsuit targeting three environmental organisations.
The company requested:
- restrictions on critical statements about ENI
- publication of the judgment in major newspapers
Civil society groups described the case as a “textbook environmental SLAPP.”
2024 – Criminal defamation case against Antonio Tricarico
ENI initiated criminal defamation proceedings against Antonio Tricarico, director of the NGO ReCommon.
The complaint followed comments made during a television interview discussing ENI’s international activities.
This marked a significant escalation from civil lawsuits to criminal prosecution of critics.
2025 / 2026 – SLAPP Lawsuit against Axel Barrett
To be continued …
ENI SLAPP Database (Known cases)
Important note: Several cases are not fully documented publicly. Investigations show at least six defamation lawsuits since 2019, targeting NGOs, journalists, and media outlets, seeking more than €10 million in damages.
Below is a verified core dataset.
| Year | Plaintiff | Defendant | Type of case | Trigger | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ENI | Italian public broadcaster RAI (investigative program Report) | Civil defamation | Investigative reporting about ENI | Outcome not fully public |
| 2019–2022 | ENI | Various newspapers & journalists | Civil defamation | Critical reporting on ENI | Some dismissed |
| 26 Jul 2023 | ENI | Greenpeace Italy, ReCommon | Civil defamation | Climate accountability lawsuit filed against ENI | Ongoing |
| Oct 2024 | ENI | Greenpeace Italy, Greenpeace Netherlands, ReCommon | Civil SLAPP | Environmental criticism of ENI | Ongoing |
| 2024 | ENI | Antonio Tricarico (ReCommon) | Criminal defamation | Television interview on corruption issues | Ongoing |
| Unknown earlier cases | ENI | Whistleblowers / critics | Civil & criminal | Public criticism of company conduct | Various |
Key pattern
- Targets: NGOs, journalists, activists
- Legal basis: mostly defamation
- Strategy: civil litigation + increasingly criminal complaints
- Damages requested: €10M+ total across cases
Timeline
2019
│
├─ First wave of ENI defamation lawsuits against journalists and media
│
2023
│
├─ ENI sues Greenpeace Italy & ReCommon after climate lawsuit
│
2024
│
├─ ENI files SLAPP against Greenpeace Italy, Greenpeace NL, ReCommon
│
└─ Criminal defamation case against ReCommon director Antonio Tricarico
| Year | Case | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ENI vs Claudio Gatti | Dismissed |
| 2019 | ENI vs Luca Chianca | Journalist acquitted |
| 2020 | ENI vs Il Fatto Quotidiano | Newspaper acquitted |
| 2021 | ENI vs Domani | Status unclear |
| 2023 | ENI vs Greenpeace Italy & ReCommon | Ongoing |
| 2024 | ENI vs Greenpeace Italy / Greenpeace NL / ReCommon | Ongoing |
| 2024 | ENI vs Antonio Tricarico | Ongoing |
ENI - SLAPP 