Rome Prosecutors Question Natalia Potenza Over Attack on Sigfrido Ranucci

Hearing at Piazzale Clodio

Natalia Potenza arrived at the Rome prosecutor's office in Piazzale Clodio on the morning of 12 September 2026 to be questioned by magistrates. Potenza, an Italian-Argentine national who manages the Cefalù bistrot in the Monteverde district of Rome, had requested to be heard by judicial authorities in recent days. She appeared before the prosecutors leading the case to testify as a person informed on the facts. Her testimony forms part of the criminal proceedings into the attack directed against investigative journalist Sigfrido Ranucci.

Scope of inquiry and business dealings

Magistrates are examining Potenza regarding the activities and connections of her former partner, Valter Lavitola. Lavitola, a businessman and former publisher, has confessed to acting as the instigator behind the attack carried out in October outside Ranucci's home. The questioning focuses on clarifying the direct relationship between Lavitola and Ranucci prior to the attack. Prosecutors are also using the deposition to examine the business affairs, commercial interests, and professional background of the former publisher.

Review court confirms detention and mafia aggravating circumstance

The deposition takes place following a legal confirmation for the prosecution team led by Rome Chief Prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi. On 10 September 2026, the Tribunale del Riesame rejected the defense petitions submitted on behalf of Lavitola, maintaining the custodial order that keeps him detained in prison. In its decision, the review court upheld the prosecution's case in its entirety. The judges also reaffirmed the application of the mafia method aggravating circumstance against Lavitola in connection with the attack.