An Italian businessman has confessed to planning a bomb attack on the home of Sigfrido Ranucci, a well-known investigative journalist, saying he did it to improve his security protection.
Valter Lavitola, a friend of Ranucci, who hosts the investigative program Report on the state broadcaster Rai, admitted this to investigators after being arrested earlier this week in connection with the case, according to his lawyer, Sergio Cola, speaking to Italian media.
At first, it was believed the mafia was behind the attack in October last year, when a crude but powerful bomb went off outside Ranucci’s home in a town near Rome, nearly destroying his car and one belonging to his daughter.
Four other people, allegedly hired by Lavitola, were arrested in late June on suspicion of carrying out the attack.
Cola said Lavitola had organized the attack to increase Ranucci’s security protection, given the threats on his life from the mafia. “He did it for Ranucci’s benefit, because he was a target of attacks,” he said.
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Sigfrido Ranucci. Photograph: Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse/Shutterstock
Lavitola denied claims that his motive was to boost Ranucci’s popularity so he could enter politics, something Lavitola allegedly hoped to gain from as well.
These allegations were detailed in an investigative report seen by the Guardian, which included phone conversations, one where Lavitola allegedly told Ranucci, “you will be prime minister in two years.”
Investigators have not suggested that Ranucci, who earlier expressed shock over Lavitola’s alleged involvement, knew about the plot.
Ranucci, whose investigations for Report focus on alleged crime and corruption, often involving government ministers, is suing unnamed commentators and politicians who accused him of staging the attack for his own benefit, on grounds of defamation.
His lawyer, Roberto De Vita, said that if the allegations about Lavitola’s motive were true, then Ranucci was “a victim three times over.”
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“He is a victim of a serious, dangerous attack, of betrayal, of being exploited by a friend in a delirious show of madness and, last but not least – and perhaps most seriously – of a massive and persistent campaign of media and political lynching that, through conjecture and insinuations, has sought to portray the victim as the more-or-less-willing beneficiary of the attack.”
The case has come to light amid a wider debate about press freedom in Italy and the safety of journalists.
Ranucci has been vocal about alleged interference in Rai by Giorgia Meloni’s far-right government. The broadcaster opened an internal review of his journalistic methods after it emerged in early July that Lavitola was being questioned in connection with the bomb attack. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has called for him to be suspended.
There have been questions about Ranucci’s relationship with Lavitola, a former journalist who owns a restaurant in Rome. They became friends in 2019 after Ranucci investigated Lavitola, who has been involved in several legal cases in the past, including one that led to a conviction for extorting the late former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Ranucci told Corriere della Sera in early July that he had “never hidden” the friendship, describing it as possibly a case of “Stockholm syndrome.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the scenario provided written in a natural tone with clear direct answers
Frequently Asked Questions
1 Wait what exactly happened
A wealthy Italian businessman confessed to hiring someone to bomb the home of a journalist The twist is that the journalist was also his personal friend
2 Why would he bomb his own friend
The businessman claimed he did it because the journalist was about to publish an article that would expose his financial secrets and ruin his business reputation He wanted to stop the story or at least scare the journalist into silence
3 Did the journalist get hurt
Fortunately no one was killed The journalist was not home at the time of the blast but the house was badly damaged The journalist was understandably terrified and traumatized
4 How did they catch him
The police investigation found evidence linking the businessman to the purchase of the explosives and to the people who planted the bomb Once confronted with this evidence he broke down and confessed
5 Is this a common thing for businessmen to do
No absolutely not This is an extreme and criminal act While business disputes can get ugly organizing a bombing is incredibly rare and way outside the bounds of normal business competition
6 What is the businessman being charged with
He is facing very serious charges including conspiracy to commit murder arson and causing grievous bodily harm Even though no one died the intent to cause serious harm is what makes the charges so severe
7 What does this say about their friendship
It shows that the friendship was either fake or that the businessmans fear of financial ruin was so strong that he completely abandoned any loyalty Its a chilling reminder that for some people money and reputation are more important than personal relationships
8 What kind of financial trouble could push someone to do this
The journalist was reportedly going to expose a major fraud or illegal financial scheme the businessman was running The businessman stood to lose his entire company his fortune and potentially face jail time for fraud He saw the bombing as a way to save himself
9 What is the journalists reaction to all this
The journalist has said they feel betrayed and heartbroken They are also shaken and have had to increase their personal security They have also stated they will continue to
