Italian businessman admits to organizing an explosion near a journalist's home — lawyer
Italian businessman Walter Lavitola confessed to investigators that he organized the bombing near the home of investigative journalist Sigfrido Ranucci in a town near Rome. According to The Guardian, Lavitola’s attorney, Sergio Cola, reported this to the Italian media.
According to the lawyer, his client claims he organized the attack to secure increased security for Ranucci due to threats to his life from the mafia. Lavitola was a friend of the journalist.
The explosion occurred last October. A homemade but powerful explosive device detonated near Ranucci’s home and nearly destroyed his car and a car belonging to his daughter. Initially, it was suspected that the Mafia might have been behind the attack.
Lavitole was detained this week as part of the investigation. In late June, four people were arrested on suspicion of carrying out the attack; according to The Guardian, they allegedly acted on behalf of a businessman.
For more breaking news, follow the UA.News Telegram channel.
Lavitole denies the theory that the motive for the attack was to boost Ranucci’s popularity in preparation for his possible entry into politics, from which the businessman himself could allegedly have benefited. The investigation materials reviewed by The Guardian mention telephone conversations, in one of which Lavitola allegedly told Ranucci that he would become prime minister in two years.
Investigators did not suggest that Ranucci knew about the attack being planned. The journalist hosts the investigative journalism program *Report* on the public broadcaster Rai and had previously stated that he was shocked by Lavitola’s alleged involvement. The two had been friends since 2019.
Ranucci’s attorney, Roberto De Vita, stated that his client was the victim of an attack, a friend’s betrayal, and a media and political smear campaign. Ranucci has filed defamation lawsuits against unnamed commentators and politicians who claimed that he staged the explosion himself for his own gain.
