Italian investigative journalism TV host targeted in bomb attack near Rome

"A prominent Italian investigative journalist has been targeted in a bomb attack, with the rudimentary but powerful device almost destroying his car and causing damage to a neighbour's home. Sigfrido Ranucci, who hosts Report, an investigative programme aired by the state broadcaster, Rai, said the explosion happened about 20 minutes after he returned to his home in Campo Ascolano, close to Rome, on Thursday night. The explosion also partially destroyed a car belonging to Ranucci's daughter."

"The bomb, possibly made from fireworks, was planted between two vases outside Ranucci's home, according to reports in the Italian press on Friday morning, citing police sources. The device was not detonated remotely, the reports said, and had possibly been left with a lit fuse. Ranucci, who for years has been under police protection owing to threats made against him, told reporters he heard a tremendous bang, adding that the blast was so powerful it could have killed a passerby."

"Ranucci said he had received so many threats that it would be difficult to trace who was behind the attack. There's an endless list of threats, of various kinds, which I've received and which I've always reported to the judicial authorities and which my security detail has always reported. But what happened last night was a worrying new level because it was right in front of my home, where bullets were found last year."

A bomb exploded outside Sigfrido Ranucci's home in Campo Ascolano near Rome, damaging his car, his daughter's car and a neighbour's property. The device, possibly made from fireworks, was reportedly planted between two vases and may have been left with a lit fuse rather than detonated remotely. Nobody was injured and anti-mafia police in Rome have opened an investigation. Ranucci has been under police protection for years because of repeated threats. Video footage showed twisted metal and shattered windows and politicians expressed solidarity across the political divide.

Read at www.theguardian.com