The family of a 1970s victim of the Red Brigades said on Monday it was suing French film star Fanny Ardant after she expressed admiration for the far-left terrorist movement and its founder.
Relatives of Giuseppe Mazzola, a neofascist militant who was the first person to be killed by the Red Brigades in June 1974, said it was their "duty" to sue Ardant.
The 58-year-old French actress told an Italian magazine last week: "I have always considered the Red Brigades phenomenon very absorbing and passionate".
"Renato Curcio is a hero for me," added the actress, referring to the leftist militant who founded the Red Brigades in 1970.
The Red Brigades, Italy's most infamous far-left terrorist group, spread terror in the 1970s and 1980s. Their most notorious act was the murder of Christian Democrat leader Aldo Moro in 1978.
Curcio, 65, was captured in 1976 and sentenced to 30 years in prison for crimes committed by his organisation. He himself never killed anyone.
He was released from prison in 1993 and now runs a small leftwing publishing company.
Curcio has not expressed remorse for his former activities.
Ardant in her interview with the magazine A praised Curcio for remaining true to his left-wing ideals.
She said he "didn't become a businessman" like his French left-wing contemporaries.
Ardant's comments drew angry criticism from members of Italy's centre-right opposition, some of whom said she should stay away from this week's Venice Film Festival.
The actress is starring in one of three Italian films competing in the international cinema fest.
Other critics shocked by the actress's words said she should be introduced to the families of Red Brigade victims while in Venice.
Ardant sought to ease the row last Friday, saying in an interview with Italian state broadcaster RAI that she was sorry her words had caused suffering.
"My words have caused suffering to those who have already suffered and whose wounds have not yet healed, and for that I apologise," she said.
Giuseppe Mazzola's son Piero dismissed Ardant's apology as too "vague" on Monday.
"She should come here and say sorry to my mother," he said.
