Overview

• On July 14, 2025, the First Section of the Rome Court of Appeal upheld the May 24, 2021 verdict against Francesco Bidognetti and Michele Santonastaso for mafia‐method threats, sentencing them to one year and six months and one year and two months respectively.
• The threats were issued on March 13, 2008, during the Spartacus trial in Naples when Santonastaso read a judge recusal document blaming journalists for alleged media pressure.
• Judges concluded that the intimidation was part of a deliberate strategy by the Casalesi clan to reinforce its territorial control and power.
• The Federation of National Press and the Order of Journalists of Campania were admitted as civil parties, marking institutional support for press freedom rights in the proceedings.
• Roberto Saviano broke into tears in court and lamented “They stole my life,” underscoring the personal and symbolic significance of affirming protections for investigative reporting.