Living Under Constant Danger: Roberto Saviano's Life in the Crosshairs
Roberto Saviano resides under constant protection due to threats against his life.
By Andrea Affaticati, Milan | More Info | Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Email | Print | Copy Link
Renowned Neapolitan writer Roberto Saviano, now 44, has been under police protection for two decades due to the danger posed by the Campora, the Neapolitan mafia. His series of events, detailed in his 2006 book "Gomorrah," painted a stark picture of the clandestine activities of the Camorra, placing him in the mafia's crosshairs.
In an interview with the Italian daily "Corriere della Sera," Saviano admits to moments of self-doubt, acknowledging that living under such constant protection comes with conflicts, questions, and emotional burden.
A Life of Guilt and Fear
"Yes, I have had those thoughts," Saviano confides in his interviewer, Aldo Cazzullo. He recalls the recent funeral of his late aunt whom he felt deeply for, but who was unable to attend due to the lack of family presence and security measures necessitated by his protect status.
According to Saviano, these struggles are a direct result of the personal protection he has been granted since being 26 years old and facing a death threat from notorious Camorra boss Francesco Bidognetti, alias Cicciotto di Mezzanotte, and his lawyer. The ongoing trial against the mafia boss has yet to reach a resolution.
The Lifelong Question: Is it Enough?
Apart from the Camorra members who wish him dead, Saviano faces criticism from ordinary Neapolitans who feel he has misrepresented Naples. However, his work has played a pivotal role in drawing attention to these criminal activities and instigating change for the better in certain Neapolitan neighborhoods.
Politicians like deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini have expressed their desire to revoke Saviano's police protection, while questioning the necessity of his protection after two decades without any incidents.
Comparing Fates: Salman Rushdie's Struggle
Saviano sees parallels with his good friend, Indian-British author Salman Rushdie, who has been the target of a fatwa since the publication of his book "The Satanic Verses" in 1988. Despite the ongoing danger, Rushdie eventually chose to live more openly after many years of self-imposed isolation. However, his tranquility was shattered in the summer of 2022 when he was viciously attacked and sustained severe injuries, losing an eye in the process.
The Price of Freedom
Living under personal protection comes with two main challenges for Saviano: constantly questioning the necessity of his protection and yearning for liberation from this confinement. The threat of exaggeration and the need for attention often overshadow the reality of the danger he faces.
The ever-present fear leads to panic attacks, especially in the early hours of the morning when sleep is disrupted, and constant self-reflection about the impact of his life's choices.
The Struggle with Isolation
Apart from the real danger posed by the Camorra, Saviano laments the profound loneliness that comes with his lifestyle. He paints a picture of his last Easter holidays, where family and friends left him at home while they ventured out in Naples late into the night.
His romantic relationships have also suffered due to the limitations placed on him by his protect status, adding to the sense of isolation.
Despite the envy his extraordinary life elicits, Saviano acknowledges that he too would have preferred a different life, free from the constant fear and questioning of his choices that have become his reality.
Source: ntv.de
- Italy
- Mafia
- Italian Mafia
Additional Insights:- Living under police protection leads to significant restrictions in one's personal life and freedom as well as emotional tolls due to constant fear, social isolation, stress, and anxiety [1].- The strife between Saviano's desire for an ordinary life and the reality of facing constant danger creates feelings of guilt, loneliness, and questioning the choices made to ensure his safety.
[1] Eccelso, Jessica. "Roberto Saviano: The Life and Times of a Mafia Writer." The California Review of Books, 29 Oct. 2019, californiareviewofbooks.org/essays/2019/10/29/roberto-saviano-the-life-and-times-of-a-mafia-writer/.
- Roberto Saviano, the Neapolitan author, has been under police protection for two decades due to threats from the Campora, the Neapolitan mafia, following the publication of his 2006 book "Gomorrah."
- In an interview, Saviano confessed to moments of self-doubt, reflecting on the emotional burden of constant protection and the impact it has had on his relationships and personal life.
- The mafia's ongoing trial against notorious boss Francesco Bidognetti, alias Cicciotto di Mezzanotte, continues without resolution.
- Saviano faces criticism from ordinary Neapolitans who feel he has misrepresented Naples, yet his work has improved certain Neapolitan neighborhoods by raising awareness of criminal activities.
- Politicians like deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini have contemplated revoking Saviano's police protection, questioning its necessity after two decades without any incidents.
- Saviano finds parallels with his friend, Indian-British author Salman Rushdie, who has faced a fatwa since the publication of his book "The Satanic Verses" in 1988.
- Despite the ongoing danger, Rushdie eventually chose to live more openly, although he was viciously attacked in the summer of 2022 and sustained severe injuries.
- Living under personal protection presents two main challenges for Saviano: constantly questioning the necessity of his protection and yearning for liberation from this confinement.
- Apart from the real danger posed by the Camorra, Saviano struggles with profound loneliness due to the limitations placed on his social life by his protect status, affecting his romantic relationships and overall sense of isolation.
