Sigfrido Ranucci files defamation suits amid probe of Lavitola-linked bomb attack

Journalist Sigfrido Ranucci, host of the RAI programme Report, was injured in a dynamite bomb attack on 16 October 2025 outside his Pomezia home. The Rome anti‑mafia directorate’s investigation points to entrepreneur Valter Lavitola as the alleged mastermind, with four suspects from Avellino already arrested.

Through lawyer Roberto De Vita, Ranucci has lodged two criminal complaints: one for aggravated defamation over public statements that the attack was staged or that he profited from it, and another alleging the unlawful disclosure of investigative material. The complaints also name several Report journalists.

Prosecutors are scrutinising Lavitola’s repeated visits to the Report newsroom, his recent media interviews for possible hidden messages, and the phones and pen‑drives seized from his Monteverde residence on 4 July. Media commentator Massimo Giletti has raised the possibility of an additional, well‑known patron of Lavitola’s restaurant Cefalù – referred to as “Corrado” – being involved.

Lavitola, in a televised interview, said he will speak fully once cleared by the prosecutors. The case has triggered political debate, with Minister Adolfo Urso urging the Rai oversight commission to safeguard investigative journalism independence.