Rome – No release from prison and no house arrest: Valter Lavitola, the instigator of the attack on Sigfrido Ranucci, remains in prison. The judges also confirmed the aggravating circumstance of mafia methods.
The Rome Court of Appeal, rejecting the defense's requests, confirmed the precautionary measure for the former publisher, the self-confessed instigator of the attack outside Sigfrido Ranucci's home.
During last Monday's hearing, Lavitola made spontaneous statements, stating that "I had a great friendship with Ranucci, and I hoped this relationship could also rehabilitate me and bring me social redemption." Although the fixer has once again assumed "full responsibility" for instigating the attack, the judges have ruled that the necessary conditions for his release from Rebibbia prison, where he is being held, are not yet met.
Lavitola reported that "the idea for the bomb" came from Clesio Gomes Tavares, to whom he had given "a blank warrant, specifying that he was not to harm anyone." In their application, Lavitola's defense attorneys, Sergio and Arturo Cola, requested house arrest for their client at a home in Basilicata. This request was also rejected by the Court of Appeal.
After having examined the reasons for the rejection, it cannot be ruled out that the defense will now file an appeal to the Supreme Court of Cassation against the decision of the Review Court.
