iMussolini: Benito Mussolini in an undated photo. An iPhone app featuring the fascist dictator has become the second most popular app in Italy
Controversial: An image from the screen of an iPhone using the app. iPhone Italy says the app is a historical tool and not political commentary
An iPhone application containing 100 of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini's speeches has become the second most downloaded item in Italy, it emerged today.
The application, called iMussolini, is available on Apple’s on line store for 79 euro cents (59p).
According to Italy' Apple iTunes store, it has been downloaded more than a hugely popular video game based on blockbuster film Avatar.
It is second only to an X-ray machine app that 'allows you to see your friends naked'.
Created by Luigi Marino, a 25-year-old businessman from Naples, the Mussolini application has jumped from 55 downloads a day to more than 1,000.
It contains speeches and video from 1914 before Mussolini came to power and on into 1938 at the height of his rule.
The application is illustrated with a traditional profile black and white photograph of il Duce with the words words 'iMussolini - the man who changed the history of our country.'
On the review page it adds:'After just three days in the Apple Store apps site iMussolini has reached second place in the top 100 paid for downloads.'
It adds that a 'new version is being prepared with all the content of the Fascist era,' calling the app 'an unmissable bargain'.
It also asks downloaders not to 'leave comments praising Fascism'.
Technically praising Fascism or making the Fascist straight-arm Roman salute is illegal in Italy.
But Mussolini's home town of Predappio has become a shrine to neo-Fascists with thousands of visitors every year.
Creator Mr Marino from Naples, who keeps 70 per cent of proceeds from downloads, said: 'I would like to thank all the numerous people who have downloaded the application but I would ask them not to post comments in praise of Fascism.
'This was a delicate phase of our history and the application offers people the chance to examine and listen for themselves to what Mussolini said. It is not an application that eulogises Fascism or Mussolini.
'I am amazed at the amount of downloads and I am aware that there have been complaints to Apple but as I say it is not an application in praise of Mussolini but simply a tool of history.'
When the application was launched iPhone's Italian website was inundated with comments both pro and against.
One said: 'At last, a serious application,' while another said: 'Numerous enemies. much honour.'
Negative comments included 'iPhone Italia should be ashamed of themselves', while another read: 'I can't believe it. I feel sick'.
Today iPhone Italia had closed the comments page down.
Instead it published a statement which read: 'The comments posted do no represent the views of iPhone Italia and any which expressed a political viewpoint have been removed.
'The application is not a political item but one of history and concerns a person who wrote an important page in our history.'
Flavio Arzarello, of the Young Italian Communists, said: 'We have written a letter to Apple in Milan asking them that this disgraceful application be removed at once.'
Today no-one was available for comment at Apple's Milan office.
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