They face charges for transporting and using an explosive device in a public area, along with criminal damage and issuing threats.
Italian law enforcement has detained suspects believed to be responsible for the bomb attack targeting Sigfrido Ranucci, the investigative journalist from the program Report.
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The incident took place in October at his residence near Pomezia, close to Rome.
The four suspects are currently held in precautionary custody and face accusations of carrying and using an explosive device in a public place, criminal damage, and making threats. These crimes are considered aggravated, as they allegedly acted within a group of over five individuals employing mafia-like tactics.
The group is thought to have been commissioned to execute the attack.
Among those arrested are a young couple from Avella — Pellegrino D’Avino, who was arrested by Carabinieri in Rome and subsequently transferred to Rebibbia prison, and his wife, Marika De Filippi, placed under house arrest at their home — along with Saverio Mutone and Antonio Passariello.
The preliminary investigating judge stated that the group acted «under the direction of an individual not yet identified, who planned and organized the criminal act».
Passariello is believed to have arranged the vehicle, while the other three conducted surveillance in the days preceding the event.
Passariello and Mutone are accused of «placing and detonating the explosive device near the home of Sigfrido Ranucci».
As per the investigators’ reconstruction, the group had completed previous contract tasks, though the judge highlighted that «in this instance, the placement of the device does not imply an intent to kill».
Sigfrido Ranucci
In an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Ranucci commented: «I have anticipated this moment since the day of the attack. I never doubted it would happen (…) From what I gather, there are those who organized it, those involved, those who provided legal support, and those who attempted to destroy SIM cards».
«This story, however, appears to demonstrate that part of the state functions effectively, protecting its citizens and fulfilling its duties properly. Fortunately,» he added.
On April 6, an anonymous email addressed to Rome prosecutor Carlo Villani identified Passariello as the individual who carried out the attack. It claimed the operation was done without notifying the criminal faction connected to him.
The message, cited by the Italian news agency Adnkronos in the custody order, said Antonio was allegedly accompanied by a young man named Luca, residing at the same address.
The text claimed the pair boasted «from morning to night» about detonating the bomb «on behalf of the Moccia clan». Nevertheless, the judge’s order noted that «currently, there is no evidence linking Passariello to the criminal environment of the Moccia clan from Afragola».
Journalists’ unions express solidarity
The National Federation of the Italian Press released a statement expressing readiness to participate as a civil party in any legal proceedings against the accused.
It also noted that «the FNSI understands the investigation is ongoing. We hope it soon leads to further developments, including identifying those who ordered the attack and their motives behind targeting the journalist».
Usigrai, the union representing RAI journalists, published a press release welcoming the progress in the inquiry into the attack, emphasizing that the assault aimed to undermine «the entire investigative journalism community and Article 21 of the Constitution, confirming concerns highlighted by major international watchdogs, which place Italy progressively lower on the press freedom index».