Thousands of Italians nostalgic for Benito Mussolini’s dictatorship are lounging this summer on a self-proclaimed “fascist beach club,” according to The Telegraph daily newspaper of Great Britain. 

Bathing huts at this club are decorated with pictures of Mussolini, signs praise the gas chambers, and sunbathers exchange stiff-armed salutes.

Police officers from Italy’s antiterrorist unit raided the “Punta Canna” beach club at the Adriatic resort of Chioggia.

They took photos and other evidence at the request of a Venice magistrate, who had opened an inquiry into this “club.”

Judicial sources said owner Gianni Scarpa, 64, could be prosecuted for the offense of “apologia of fascism” and the beach club could be closed.

Every 30 minutes Scarpa broadcasts “communiqués” over club loudspeakers to his customers, exalting Mussolini and attacking democracy.

Scarpa, however, added that drugs have no place at his club.

And a sign for the club lavatories says: “These are the toilets for him, for her, for lesbians and gays.”