US film-maker faces trial in Italy after testifying in tainted blood scandal case

Kelly Duda faces fascist-era charge of offending the honour or prestige' of prosecutor in case alarming free speech advocates

An American film-maker has been put on trial in Italy for offending the honour or prestige" of an Italian prosecutor after testifying in a criminal case against a former health ministry chief and representatives of a pharmaceutical company accused of supplying Italians with tainted blood products.

Kelly Duda, who revealed how contaminated blood taken from prisoners in Arkansas was sold around the world, faces up to three years in prison if found guilty of an offence that dates back to Italy's fascist period.