Italian businessman admits organising bomb attack ‘to boost friend’s security’

The blast outside Sigfrido Ranucci’s home near Rome in October last year almost destroyed his car and another owned by his daughter. Photograph: Cecilia Fabiano/AP

An Italian businessman has admitted to masterminding a bomb attack at the home of Sigfrido Ranucci, a prominent investigative journalist, claiming it was intended to boost his security protection.

Valter Lavitola, who was friends with Ranucci, the host of Report, an investigative programme aired by the state broadcaster, Rai, made the confession to investigators after his arrest earlier this week in connection with the case, the businessman’s lawyer, Sergio Cola, told the Italian media.