Valter Lavitola remains jailed in Rebibbia after the Rome preliminary investigations judge rejected a defense request for house arrest, according to court documents released following his interrogation. The former publisher admitted during a five-hour hearing before the judge to being the mastermind behind the October attack on journalist and Report host Sigfrido Ranucci, claiming his actions were meant to force an increase in the journalist’s police protection.
Following the hearing, defense attorney Sergio Cola confirmed that his team will file an appeal with the Tribunal of Review against the detention order. According to the judge’s ruling, the court kept Lavitola behind bars due to an ongoing risk of evidence tampering and a clear flight risk. Furthermore, the judge noted that the statements provided by Lavitola during his questioning were not entirely complete.
Defense Claims and Prosecution Stance
During the interrogation, Lavitola maintained that no political motive drove the October 16, 2025 bombing. Attorney Sergio Cola reported that his client claimed he orchestrated the attack to protect Ranucci from what he described as dangerous attempts to assault him. The owner of the Cefalù bistro, where Lavitola frequently dined with Ranucci, also spoke to investigators regarding the motives behind the episode. Prosecutors coordinated by Rome prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi had previously given a negative opinion on releasing Lavitola from custody.
The defense’s upcoming appeal will challenge the judge’s assessment of flight and evidence risks. Investigators from the Rome anti-mafia directorate continue to analyze the case, noting that while Lavitola’s actions unexpectedly raised the television host’s public profile, the suspect allegedly intended a different method for the strike.
Did You Know? Valter Lavitola told the judge he originally commissioned four or five pistol shots directed toward a wall of Sigfrido Ranucci’s home in Pomezia rather than an explosive device, though he later accepted the explosive’s use as a demonstration.
Details of the Plot and Next Steps
Investigative files reveal that Lavitola allegedly asked perpetrators for a shooting action instead of an explosive device at the villa in Pomezia, near Rome. Roberto De Vita, legal counsel for Ranucci, called the confessed motives a “delirious theater of madness,” noting that the journalist has maintained round-the-clock security since 2021 and already held a high public profile. Ranucci remains an offended party in the proceedings.
As technological examinations of Lavitola’s seized computer and cell phone continue over the coming weeks, prosecutors could call Ranucci back to testify as a person informed on the facts by September. Meanwhile, magistrates are advancing procedures to request the extradition of Gomes Tavares, a Cameroonian national and alleged helper who is currently a fugitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Valter Lavitola remain in jail after confessing?
The Rome preliminary investigations judge rejected the defense request for house arrest because the court found lingering risks of evidence tampering and flight, alongside incomplete statements from the suspect.
What motive did Lavitola give for the attack?
According to his defense attorney, Lavitola claimed he acted to protect Ranucci from perceived threats and to force authorities to increase the journalist’s security detail.
What role does Gomes Tavares play in the investigation?
Investigators identify Tavares as a Cameroonian national and fugitive who allegedly acted as an intermediary with the criminal gang and joined Lavitola on surveillance visits outside Ranucci’s home.
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