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[CRIME] · Italy · 70 sources

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Valter Lavitola confesses to masterminding attack on journalist Sigfrido Ranucci

Valter Lavitola has confessed to being the mastermind behind the October 2025 bomb attack targeting journalist Sigfrido Ranucci, the host of the Rai 3 program ‘Report’. During a five-hour interrogation at Rebibbia prison, Lavitola claimed he orchestrated the explosion near Ranucci's home in Pomezia to protect the journalist. He argued that the attack was intended to demonstrate the severity of threats against Ranucci, thereby forcing authorities to increase his security detail from two agents to eight.

Despite the confession, Judge Iole Moricca rejected a request for house arrest, describing Lavitola's statements as “vague,” “generic,” and “unlikely.” The judge noted that Lavitola's version—that he only intended to order gunshots toward a wall rather than an explosion—did not align with the evidence. The prosecution also opposed the request for house arrest, citing risks of evidence tampering and flight. Lavitola faces charges including the use of explosives and mafia-style methods.

The case has sparked significant political tension in Italy. While Lavitola claims no political motive, investigators are examining whether the attack was linked to Ranucci's political ambitions. Meanwhile, political figures like Matteo Salvini have called for Rai to suspend its collaboration with Ranucci, and others have criticized the journalist for allegedly insinuating links between the attack and government members.

Entities

Gomes Clesio Tavares · Iole Moricca · Matteo Salvini · Maurizio Gasparri · Pomezia · Procura di Roma · Rai · Rebibbia prison · Rome District Anti-Mafia Directorate · Rome Prosecutor's Office · Sigfrido Ranucci · Valter Lavitola

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