Peter Fleischer and three other Google executives face criminal charges in Italy over the posting of a video showing a disabled teen being harassed by peers. They face up to a maximum of 36 months if convicted on the charges.

A Google spokeswoman today said that bringing the case to court was "totally wrong."

Google has repeatedly expressed its sympathy for the victim and his family and it was the result of Google's co-operation that the "bullies in the video have been identified and punished," she said. But the company cannot be held responsible for the content, she said

"It's akin to prosecuting mail service employees for hate speech letters sent in the post," the spokeswoman said in an e-mail. "Seeking to hold neutral platforms liable for content posted on them is a direct attack on a free, open Internet."

She said Google would "vigorously defend" its employees in the prosecution.