The obscene gesture -- a raised middle finger-- made by Reforms Minister Umberto Bossi at a public meeting isn't a crime that can be tried by the tribunal of ministers, the Venice public prosecutor's office said. It didn't say if it would consider reopening the case.

Bossi, whose Northern League party wants autonomy or independence for northern Italy, made the gesture at a Veneto League congress July 20 when citing a line in Italy's national anthem that appears to say Italy is Rome's slave.

''Never again slaves to Rome,'' Bossi said, making the gesture.

He was condemned by friends and foes for making the gesture to criticize Italy's national anthem.

Italian Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa said the 66-year-old politician, known for his fiery separatist rhetoric, had evidently misunderstood the line in Italy's 1847 anthem, the ANSA news agency reported.

The line, "Where is Victory? Let her bow down, for God has made her Rome's slave," actually means Rome should secure victory as a slave in its bid for a united Italy, La Russa said.