Ranucci Attack: Lavitola Arrested as Mastermind; Gomes Tavares Wanted

Rome – Valter Lavitola is in prison, accused of instigating the attack on journalist Sigfrido Ranucci that occurred last October in Pomezia. The businessman and former journalist and publisher was placed under a precautionary measure by the Rome investigating judge as part of the investigation by the Prosecutor's Office—led by Prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi—which also alleges mafia-style tactics. The arrest was made by the Carabinieri Investigative Unit.

Investigators, who summoned him to the prosecutor's office on July 8th, where he exercised his right to remain silent and make spontaneous statements, believe he is the instigator of the bombing. Lavitola is accused of using mafia-style methods. The investigation, coordinated by prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi, has already led to the execution of four precautionary measures at the end of June against three men and a woman believed to be the perpetrators of the attack. They are charged with various counts of possession, carrying in a public place, and use of an explosive device, threats, and criminal damage, aggravated by the fact that more than five people acted in a mafia-like manner.

Gomes Tavares, Lavitola's factotum, is wanted internationally: he was the intermediary with the Avellino gang.

The Rome investigating judge has issued an arrest warrant, concurrent with the precautionary measure against Valter Lavitola, for Cameroonian citizen Gomes Clesio Tavares, accused by Rome prosecutors of participating in the plot to assassinate journalist Sigfrido Ranucci. He is currently a fugitive and is believed to be in Africa.

According to the prosecution, Gomes was the intermediary between Lavitola and the gang – composed of four people – that physically carried out the bombing on October 16 of last year in Pomezia, a town near Rome.