I wrote to the DG JUST Anti-SLAPP Expert Group on 21 April 2026 regarding my ENI SLAPP case. As I have not yet received a response, I am sending this reminder.
The European Commission is obliged to respond within a certain time but’ they’re not doing it; especially not for the middle class. The EU system is broken.
EMAIL – 21 April 2026
Dear Expert Group against SLAPP,
I am writing to you in my capacity as a blogger, satirist and investigative journalist to bring to your attention an abusive lawsuit (SLAPP) recently initiated against me by the oil company ENI and bioplastics company Novamont (100% owned by ENI). They’re requesting €3.150.000 from me.
Given the public interest nature of my reporting and the hallmarks of this litigation, I believe this case falls directly under the concerns addressed by the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive (2024/1069).
I am requesting:
- Information on how the current EU protections for journalists apply to my situation.
- Guidance on whether this case will be included in the Commission’s monitoring of the Rule of Law in my member state.
- Referral to any specialized focal points established by the Commission to support victims of such litigation.
I am available to provide further documentation regarding the nature of the lawsuit and its impact on my work.
Best regards,
Axel Barrett
BioplasticsNews.com
PS – Please be advised that this correspondence and any subsequent responses from the Commission are being documented as part of an ongoing journalistic investigation and may be published in the interest of public transparency.
Reminder email – 02 June 26
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to follow up on my email dated 21 April, which has not yet received a response. Could you kindly confirm whether it has been received, and if so, advise when I might expect a reply. I would appreciate your assistance in clarifying this matter.
By the way, the manager of the Berlaymont cafeteria, a certain Mr. Eni Versalis, told me that the European Commission officials are usually too busy playing cards in the cafeteria and that they will not help middle class people like me. Is it true?
Best regards,
Axel BARRETT