Ex-Berlusconi partner arrested over bomb attack on journalist's home

Italian authorities have arrested Walter Lavitola, a former associate of the late Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, in connection with a bomb attack targeting the home of journalist S. Ranucci. Rome carabinieri stated that Lavitola is suspected of being the "organizer" of the October 16th attack.

According to police, Lavitola is accused of instructing Tavares Gomes Clesio to find four men, who were arrested in June, to plant the explosive device. Investigators believe Lavitola conceived the criminal plan and directed Gomes to secure individuals capable of obtaining explosives and carrying out a "demonstrative attack" outside the journalist's villa.

Both Lavitola and Gomes allegedly conducted reconnaissance at Ranucci's home in September. While Gomes is still at large, detectives have not yet specified the motive behind the attack. Ranucci, the popular host of Rai's investigative program "Report," has previously investigated sensitive issues including the Italian mafia and political corruption, leading him to live under police protection for years.

The explosion in Pomezia, south of Rome, damaged two cars and part of Ranucci's home gate, but the journalist was unharmed. Local media reports suggest Lavitola, who has a past conviction for corruption and racketeering, may have sought to persuade Ranucci to enter politics. Lavitola, a former journalist and businessman, was known for his close ties to Berlusconi, who died in 2023.

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Lavitola allegedly devised the criminal plan and instructed Gomes to find individuals who could obtain explosives and stage a demonstrative attack in front of the journalist's villa.