A month after the attack on journalist Sigfrido Ranucci, Valter Lavitola—believed to be the instigator—reportedly expressed strong interest in strengthening the Report host's protective measures. This is what emerges from the pre-trial detention order. Lavitola reportedly expressed concern over the lack of a second escort car, even writing to him: "Please, if they don't give you the second car, give me the green light to cause all the chaos I can think of." He continued: "Listen to me, you're exposed at any time, you need to have a physical protection structure. This means that when you arrive at a place: your home, RAI, a restaurant... you need a relay team of at least four men, plus the two from the escort car who, after inspecting the location (they must arrive at least 10 minutes early), form a protective circle around you. The real danger you face is the 'haters.'"
"Berlusconi would have made you co-president," he adds, and then: "Then he would have given you his seat," writes Valter Lavitola in some messages sent in October 2024, referring to the entrepreneur's plan to have the Report host run for general election. On October 28, two years ago, "Lavitola persisted with jokes aimed at flattering him and convincing him to run in the next elections, responding to some messages from Ranucci" with the phrase: "The New Year's speech, which you will give, could even do more...", writes the investigating judge.
According to lawyer Roberto De Vita: "Sigfrido Ranucci is a three-time victim: of a serious and dangerous attack, of betrayal and exploitation by a friend in a delirious theater of madness (if the facts are definitively established), and, finally, perhaps more seriously, of a massive and persistent media and political lynching campaign that, through conjecture and insinuation, sought to transform the victim into a more or less knowing beneficiary of the attack." "We now await the verdict against those charged with aggravated defamation for having knowingly contributed to the violent denigration of the most prominent figure in investigative journalism in Italy, an action as dangerous to democracy as an attack," the criminal lawyer added.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also weighed in on the case: "I think Italians deserve clarity, and until clarity is also shed on the relationship between Ranucci and Lavitola, I think Italians' public funds should no longer be used to finance someone involved in this sad affair." When asked by journalists whether the program Report should continue without Ranucci, Salvini replied, "Yes, but I have nothing against him. I repeat, I believe that those directly involved in this murky affair should take a break."
(Unioneonline)