An Italian politician has told Sky News he’s filed a criminal complaint after Donald Trump Junior allegedly killing a protected species of duck while on a hunting trip in the Venice lagoon.
Andrea Zanoni, from the Green Europe party, said he had notified the Carabinieri environmental crime unit in Mestre.
He claimed Mr Trump hunted and killed protected species of birds in Campagna Lupia, a town in the province of Venice, last December.
“The US president’s son killed a protected species in a protected natural area, and this is a serious criminal offence,” Mr Zanoni said.
“No one should be above the law.”
Mr Zanoni is currently serving as president of the region of Veneto’s justice commission.
A spokesman for Mr Trump said his party had permits and were in a legally allowed area.
A video posted online and reported by Italian media outlets appears to show Mr Trump Jr shooting at ducks inside a special conservation area south of Venice, and then addressing the camera and pointing to an orange-brown duck among at least six other dead waterfowl around him.
The dead birds allegedly included a ruddy shelduck, which is protected by the EU Birds Directive and Italian wildlife protection legislation.
In addition, it is thought Mr Trump needed to reside in an Italian region in order to be granted a hunting permit.
Veneto imposes a different hunting calendar for each species.
Mr Zanoni said he was “100% sure” the Venice Public Prosecutor’s Office will soon open a probe into the case.
If so, it is thought Donald Trump Jr could face both a jail sentence and a fine.
A source close to the investigation told Sky News they are “evaluating” possible crimes following Mr Zanoni’s complaint.
Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto said he was “waiting for a report”.
Sergio Costa, a former Italian environment minister, told Sky News he was “horrified” by the case.
“It’s as if Italy became Trump Junior’s backyard,” Mr Costa said.
“I’ll ask the government to report on this and I’m going to file a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office,” he added.
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An animal rights NGO, LAV, expressed indignation along with other Italian political parties.
Veneto governor Luca Zaia refused to comment on the case.
A spokesman for Mr Trump said “there were countless other hunting groups present” while the hunting party had permits and were in a legally allowed area.
Andy Surabian added: “While it’s unclear whether this single duck was unintentionally shot by someone in Don’s hunting group, another hunting group, or killed in a different manner and retrieved by the group’s hunting dog, Don takes following all rules, regulations and conservation on his hunts very seriously and plans on fully cooperating with any investigation.”
