The investigation into the attack on Sigfrido Ranucci, the Italian journalist who hosts the investigative program Report, has taken a new direction as authorities examine a possible link between the assault and a political project devised for him.
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The explosion took place on October 16, 2025, near the journalist’s home in Pomezia. The bomb severely damaged Ranucci’s vehicle and his daughter’s car, but neither he nor any members of his family were injured.
Italian authorities arrested Valter Lavitola on suspicion of ordering the attack. Gomes Clesio Tavares is also named in the case file, while four other people are suspected of carrying out the assault.
One of the main lines of inquiry into the motive concerns the relationship that developed between Lavitola and Ranucci, as well as the plans the former had drawn up for the political future of the host of Report.
Lavitola, described as the journalist’s “friend,” envisioned him playing an important role in Italy’s institutions. He was convinced that Ranucci could become a powerful political figure and, according to the investigative documents, believed that the journalist could secure around 30% of the vote even without the backing of a political party.
In one conversation, Lavitola said: “Brother, he would be a 110% guaranteed president.” In a message sent directly to Ranucci, he wrote: “In two years, you will be prime minister.”
In his scenario, Lavitola saw himself as the journalist’s adviser and “spin doctor.” Investigators believe he thought Ranucci’s successful political career would also pave the way for him to obtain an important position.
At first, Ranucci did not appear to take the possibility of running for office seriously. However, the preliminary investigations judge believes that, over time, the journalist began to show greater curiosity and openness toward the idea proposed by Lavitola.
The documents show that Ranucci never officially supported the project. Nevertheless, his conduct and communications have been interpreted as an “open-minded stance,” or at least as an indication of interest in a candidacy that was gradually taking shape.
According to investigators, Lavitola had introduced and repeatedly promoted the idea since 2024, gradually exerting influence over the journalist. The case documents state that “the journalist was a victim of the suspect’s manipulation,” while also highlighting the strong bond that had developed between them.
The judge believes that Lavitola’s aim may have been to increase Ranucci’s popularity in order to facilitate his rise in politics.
Lavitola’s actions were not limited to conversations with the journalist. The investigation indicates that he also commissioned polls to measure the prospects of a political candidacy for Ranucci.
These polls were also analyzed by journalists with experience in the field, including Stefano Cappellini and Paolo Mieli. One of the questions sought to determine whether voters would support a third candidate against Elly Schlein and Giuseppe Conte, as well as whether that figure should come from politics or civil society.
According to the investigators’ interpretation, these questions were also specifically testing Ranucci’s possible entry into politics.
The case file also mentions Gomes Clesio Tavares, who is suspected of recruiting Antonio Passariello, Pellegrino D’Avino, Saverio Mutone and Marika De Filippis to carry out the attack. Investigators say Tavares promised them money and support if they encountered problems with the law.
According to the authorities, wiretaps conducted in prison after the arrests revealed conversations linking Tavares and Lavitola to a further plan.
In one of the recorded communications, one of the detainees addressed his accomplice, saying: “Saverio, let’s get in the car and go to the house of the man who owes us the money.” According to investigators, the person being referred to was Tavares.
Another suspicion is that Lavitola attempted to steer the investigation in other directions after the attack. The documents show that he contacted Daniele Autieri, a Report journalist, presenting him with alternative theories about the people who might have been behind the assault.
Among the claims Lavitola presented to Autieri was the existence of a joint plot by the Italian and Israeli intelligence services to eliminate Ranucci. Autieri later said that he had viewed Lavitola’s approach as a “possible deception.”
According to the investigating judge, the grounds for suspicion are even stronger because the people under investigation are suspected of repeatedly trying to influence the defense strategy of those accused of carrying out the attack.
For this reason, the judge considers there to be a risk that evidence could be tampered with and that the criminal offense could be repeated.
Meanwhile, Lavitola appears to have anticipated his own arrest. He told a Portuguese friend that he might soon end up in handcuffs.
“There is every possibility that I will be arrested. But it is highly unlikely that I will be arrested for a long time,” he said.
Investigators are trying to determine not only who was responsible for the attack, but also the reason behind it, including the possibility that Lavitola’s political project for Ranucci provided the impetus for organizing the assault.
According to the new allegation, the objective was not the journalist’s physical elimination. The attack is suspected of having been intended to increase his popularity and give momentum to the project of bringing Ranucci into politics.
The investigative documents indicate that Lavitola attributed considerable electoral potential to Ranucci and believed he could become an important figure in Italian politics.
Lavitola, who had previously been convicted of extortion and other offenses, had also considered his own benefit in this scenario. If Ranucci entered politics and secured senior positions, he aimed to take on the role of adviser and “spin doctor” close to him.
