Bomb explodes outside home of top Italian investigative journalist

ROME – A bomb exploded outside the home of one of Italy’s top investigative journalists late on Oct 16, damaging two cars and a nearby house, and prompting messages of solidarity from colleagues and politicians.

Mr Sigfrido Ranucci, who hosts Report – state broadcaster RAI’s weekly investigative journalism programme and one of Italy’s best known – has been under police protection for years. He said both he and his newsroom had received many threats of various kinds, including bullets.

The rudimentary device, likely made from firework explosives, was planted outside the front gate of his house in Campo Ascolano, about 30km south of Rome, the journalist told RAI on Oct 17.

He added that the explosion took place about 20 minutes after he had returned home.

Both cars – belonging to Mr Ranucci and his daughter – were practically destroyed. Nobody was injured, with the reporter saying that “apart from the shock, all is OK”.

He said he could not confirm whether the bomb was linked to his work.

Ansa news agency reported that anti-Mafia prosecutors had opened an investigation for criminal damage with aggravating circumstances of mafia-style methods.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the “serious act of intimidation”, saying that “freedom and independence of information are essential values of our democracies, which we will continue to defend”.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said Mr Ranucci’s police escort would be stepped up.

Report has often clashed with the government and several members of Ms Meloni's rightist coalition – including Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, Industry Minister Adolfo Urso, her Brothers of Italy party and her Cabinet head Gaetano Caputi – have sued the programme. REUTERS