Bombing plot against journalist Ranucci: investigators hunt for motive as suspects remain silent

Investigators are working to uncover the motive behind an attempted bombing targeting Sigfrido Ranucci, the host of the investigative journalism program Report. The plot, described as a pyramid structure with hired hands at the base, an intermediary, and a planner, demonstrates determination and ingenuity. However, despite uncovering the mechanism, the many "whys" remain elusive.

The individuals involved in the near-fatal attack are refusing to cooperate. This includes the alleged "hired hands" from the Camorra, Antonio Passariello, Saverio Mutone, and Pellegrino D’Avino, who were arrested last week and remained silent during their initial interrogations. Gomes Clesio Tavares, the intermediary, has also been swiftly put on a plane to Cameroon following the explosion, and the suspected mastermind, Valter Lavitola, is also being investigated.

Lavitola, through his lawyer, has stated he will not speak with the prosecutor, quipping, "I won't talk, we'll see each other when I get out of jail." Despite the silence, some facts are established. A search warrant executed by the Carabinieri's Investigative Unit revealed connections between the four arrested individuals and the intermediary, indirectly supporting accusations against Lavitola.

The warrant indicates that the "material executors" of the attack were contacted by Gomes Clesio Tavares, who has maintained a friendship with Pellegrino D’Avino. Tavares, a 47-year-old from Cameroon, has been employed since 2017 by Cefalù srl, which manages the restaurant "Cefalù bistrò di pesce," a business linked to Lavitola. Employees at the restaurant confirmed Tavares worked directly for Lavitola, not as a waiter.

This connection is significant because Tavares was involved in a reconnaissance mission near Ranucci's home in Pomezia. His phone's cell tower data placed him in the area on September 15, 2025, a month before the attack. Intercepted conversations involving Tavares's partner revealed her complaint about his prolonged absence from Italy, mentioning "Valter" as the person controlling his return. This provided further evidence of Lavitola's involvement, as he apparently arranged Tavares's swift departure from Italy to Cameroon and secured his legal assistance.