ROME, July 14, 2025 — Roberto Saviano, the author famously protected by a police escort for nearly two decades, broke down in tears on Monday at the Court of Appeal in Piazzale Clodio. His emotional outburst followed the confirmation of a sentence against Casalesi boss Francesco Bidognetti, “Cicciotto ‘e mezzanotte.” Saviano embraced his lawyer, Antonio Nobile, repeatedly stating, “They stole my life, they gave me maciulth,” as his supporters, who had traveled from across Italy, applauded.
Saviano’s Outburst Reflects Decades of Threat
The author of “Gomorrah” confessed his tears were reminiscent of those shed at the funeral of his friend Michela Murgia two years prior. “It’s true, that’s the way,” he admitted while exiting one of the escort vehicles.
The author of “Gomorrah” has been under escort for twenty years.
Saviano’s deep emotion stemmed from seeing Bidognetti, a man he holds responsible for the ruin of his life, present in court. Bidognetti’s hatred for Saviano is well-documented, and a 2008 courtroom proclamation by his lawyer, Michele Santonastaso, during the SPARTACUS PROCESS, is seen as a death sentence against both Saviano and journalist Rosaria Capacchione.
Bidognetti’s Continued Presence and Saviano’s Struggle
Saviano, who has lived under escort for almost 20 years since the publication of “Gomorrah” in 2006, expressed his exhaustion. “They ruined my life, and I wasn’t able to manage this thing,” he said. He described his longing for simple freedoms like riding a motorcycle or taking a walk.
Bidognetti, who has been held under the strict 41-bis prison regime for over 30 years, attended all hearings, which Saviano noted were “hours of air earned.” Saviano pointed out Bidognetti’s casual attire in court, remarking that he would have dressed more formally for cameras if he weren’t already accustomed to incarceration.
“Bidognetti is the one who, to escape the Sicines of the NCO, used Filomena Morlando, 25 years old, as a human shield one evening,” Saviano stated, detailing the mob boss’s past violence.
A Life Defined by Fear
Saviano’s profound fear traces back to March 2008, when he was 29. He recalled an incident on March 18, four days after Bidognetti’s “proclamation.” He was suddenly taken from Campania by his escort, without his belongings, to an island. The danger was imminent, with Giuseppe Setola, known as ‘o Cecato, the leader of a violent faction responsible for the massacre of Ghanaian immigrants, reportedly searching for him.
This history of threats and the constant need for protection led Saviano to call the day’s verdict “the most important sentence of my life.” He emphasized the unprecedented nature of bosses and their lawyers targeting journalism as responsible for their convictions.
Visibly saddened, Saviano questioned the absence of political figures in the courtroom: “Have you seen someone today in the classroom? Was there politics? I haven’t seen it.”
