Napoli A climate of terror has gripped the municipality of San Giuseppe Vesuviano, a small town on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, about twenty kilometers from Naples, where a disturbing funeral notice was found posted in a room in the municipal offices.
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The sinister letter, worded like an obituary, reads verbatim: "The mayor will die if he doesn't resign within 5 days." The target is clear: the mayor, Michele Sepe, elected to lead the town in July 2024 and committed to a reform agenda to combat criminal infiltration in the Vesuvian area.
The discovery, which occurred this morning, immediately mobilized law enforcement. Sepe, visibly shaken but determined not to give in to the intimidation, filed a complaint with the local Carabinieri station.
"I will not be stopped by those who want to hinder the change that San Giuseppe Vesuviano deserves," the mayor told reporters who flocked to the scene, confirming that investigations are already underway to identify the perpetrator and reconstruct how the poster was posted.
Investigative sources contacted by this editorial team describe a quick and discreet operation: the poster, printed in a rudimentary manner on an A4 sheet of paper, was taped to an internal door, suggesting an action at night or during off-duty hours.San Giuseppe Vesuviano, with its approximately 27 inhabitants, is an area historically marked by social tensions and mafia presence linked to the Casalesi clan and other local gangs.
The Sepe administration, in office just over a year ago, has focused on transparency and legality policies, including measures to combat illegal construction and recover funds for public services.
Industry experts believe that these very efforts may have provoked a reaction from groups hostile to the renewal, in a context where intimidation of administrators is not unheard of: just think of the numerous incidents of damage and threats recorded in recent years in the Vesuvian municipalities.The news sparked a wave of cross-party indignation.
The Metropolitan Democratic Party of Naples, through its secretary Giuseppe Annunziata, called the incident "a cowardly and intolerable act, a grave threat that offends the entire community." In a statement released this afternoon, Annunziata expressed "his full and sincere solidarity with Mayor Sepe and his entire team," reiterating his confidence in the competent authorities.
"We are confident that they will shed full light on the incident, ensuring maximum protection for the mayor and administrators. No one should think of stopping the work of legality in our territories with trivial intimidation," the Democratic Party leader concluded, calling for a coordinated intervention between the Prosecutor's Office and the Prefecture to strengthen security measures.
At this time, no concrete claims or suspicions have emerged, but the city's video surveillance cameras—recently upgraded to prevent vandalism—could provide valuable clues. Sepe, meanwhile, has called a special city council meeting for tomorrow to discuss the incident and reaffirm the administration's commitment.
In a social media post, the mayor called on citizens to "unite against fear, for a future without shadows."The incident raises troubling questions about the fragility of local democracy in areas like Naples, where fighting organized crime requires not only individual courage but widespread institutional support. While the investigation continues, San Giuseppe Vesuviano awaits answers: the "5-day" countdown on the poster is a warning no one can ignore.
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Article published on October 28, 2025 - 13:30 PM - Gustavo Gentile
Comments (1)
The incident described is truly worrying and raises concerns about the climate of intimidation that unfortunately exists in some communities like San Giuseppe Vesuviano. It is essential that the authorities act quickly to ensure the safety of the mayor and the residents.