Italian law enforcement officials have successfully apprehended four suspects allegedly responsible for a bomb attack aimed at Sigfrido Ranucci, a well-known investigative journalist for the television program Report. The incident took place last October at the journalist’s residence situated near Pomezia, in the vicinity of Rome.
The four detained individuals are currently under precautionary custody and face serious charges, including the transport and use of an explosive device in a public setting, criminal damage, and the issuance of threats. Authorities noted that these offenses are aggravated by the fact that the suspects allegedly acted as part of a group of more than five individuals, employing methods associated with mafia-style operations. Investigators believe the group was hired to execute the attack.
The group includes a young couple from Avella: Pellegrino D’Avino, who was captured by the Carabinieri in Rome and moved to Rebibbia prison, and his wife, Marika De Filippi, who is currently held under house arrest at their home. Also arrested are Saverio Mutone and Antonio Passariello. According to the preliminary investigation judge, the group functioned under the orders of an as-yet-unidentified individual involved in planning the crime.
Evidence suggests that Passariello was responsible for procuring a vehicle, while the other three conducted reconnaissance in the days leading up to the attack. Subsequently, Passariello and Mutone are accused of planting and detonating the device outside Ranucci’s home. Although the group has allegedly carried out other contract jobs previously, the presiding judge noted that the placement of the explosive in this instance does not indicate a clear intent to kill.
Reflecting on the development, Ranucci stated in an interview with La Repubblica that he had been waiting for this breakthrough since the day of the attack. He expressed confidence in the state’s ability to protect its citizens. A previous anonymous email sent in April to Rome prosecutor Carlo Villani had named Passariello as the perpetrator, although the judge’s current order clarifies there is no evidence yet linking the suspects to the Moccia clan of Afragola.
In response to the arrests, the National Federation of the Italian Press announced its intention to join the case as a civil party, noting that the investigation remains active regarding the masterminds and motives behind the attack. Furthermore, the RAI journalists’ union, Usigrai, praised the investigation’s progress while emphasizing that the attack was an assault on investigative journalism and constitutional press freedom.
