Italian businessman Valter Lavitola has admitted to masterminding a bomb attack at the home of investigative journalist Sigfrido Ranucci. Lavitola, who was friends with Ranucci, claims the attack was intended to boost the journalist's security protection.
Lavitola made the confession to investigators following his arrest earlier this week, according to his lawyer, Sergio Cola. The attack, which involved a bomb detonated outside Ranucci's home near Rome in October last year, almost destroyed his car and another owned by his daughter. Four other people allegedly commissioned by Lavitola were arrested in late June on suspicion of carrying out the attack.
Cola stated that Lavitola orchestrated the attack to enhance Ranucci's security detail due to threats from the mafia. Lavitola has denied allegations that the motive was to increase Ranucci's popularity for a potential entry into politics, which Lavitola allegedly hoped to benefit from.
Investigators have not suggested that Ranucci, host of the investigative programme Report, was aware of the plot. Ranucci is currently suing unnamed commentators and politicians for defamation after they accused him of staging the attack for his own benefit.