Italian prosecutors have placed businessman Valter Lavitola under investigation for allegedly masterminding a bomb attack outside the Rome-area home of prominent investigative reporter Sigfrido Ranucci last October, as reported by The Guardian.
Authorities are investigating Lavitola on suspicion of attempting to cause mass murder.
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The development follows the recent police arrests of four individuals who were allegedly paid several thousand euros by the businessman to plant the explosive device.
The blast targeted the home of Ranucci, the host of the state broadcaster Rai's investigative program Report.
It destroyed a vehicle belonging to him and another owned by his daughter, though no injuries were recorded.
Ranucci, who has lived under police protection for years due to recurring threats, revealed that he maintained almost daily contact with the suspect, whom he considered a close acquaintance prior to the investigation.
"A true friend," Ranucci stated.
The investigative journalist noted that their last interaction occurred while law enforcement officers were executing a search warrant at the businessman's property.
"He was agitated," Ranucci said. "I was also very surprised by this turn of events in the investigation."
The relationship between the two men began in 2019 after Ranucci conducted a journalistic inquiry into Lavitola, a restaurant owner who has faced multiple prior legal proceedings, including a conviction for extorting the late former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
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Following the detonation, the journalist emphasized that while tracking the perpetrators is complicated by the volume of threats he receives, the localized nature of the incident marked an escalating danger.
