Mar 20 • 18:11 UTC 🇮🇹 Italy La Repubblica

Threats to Saviano, definitive sentences for Bidognetti and lawyer

Francesco Bidognetti, a notorious camorra boss, and lawyer Michele Santonastaso have received confirmed prison sentences for threatening journalist Roberto Saviano and Rosaria Capacchione back in 2008.

Francesco Bidognetti, the leader of the camorra clan, has been sentenced to one and a half years in prison, while his lawyer Michele Santonastaso received a sentence of one year and two months, in a case relating to serious threats made against journalist Roberto Saviano and his colleague Rosaria Capacchione. These threats occurred during the appeal process of the major Spartacus trial held in Naples concerning the Casalesi clan, emphasizing the dangerous climate faced by journalists who challenge organized crime in Italy. The Supreme Court's ruling has upheld these sentences despite attempts by the defendants to contest them.

Roberto Saviano commented on the ruling through social media, stating that after 18 years, the recognition of the mafia's threat against him has been officially acknowledged. This statement marks a significant moment not only for Saviano but also for the broader struggle against organized crime in Italy, where many journalists have faced intimidation and violence for their work in exposing mafia activities. It is viewed as a victory for those advocating for press freedom and the safety of journalists in the face of criminal threats.

The case illustrates the ongoing challenges faced by individuals standing up to organized crime in Italy, where the mafia's influence remains deeply rooted. The acknowledgement of such threats serves as a reminder of the courage required to report the truth and challenge powerful criminal organizations, paving the way for more robust protections for journalists against such intimidation tactics.

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