Trapped in a Cage: Roberto Saviano's Struggle with Loneliness and Constant Threats
Roberto Saviano lives under constant security measures, essentially imprisoned due to Italian mafia threats.
In an uncensored interview with an Italian newspaper, renowned writer Roberto Saviano opens up about his two-decade ordeal living under police protection and the crushing loneliness that comes with it. Born and raised in Naples, Saviano, now 44, sparked international attention in 2006 with his explosive book "Gomorrah," delving into the intricate web of the Neapolitan Camorra, the infamous mafia organization.
Saviano's unflinching expose on the Camorra didn't sit well with its leaders. Camorra boss Francesco Bidognetti, also known as Cicciotto di Mezzanotte, and his lawyer made it clear that Saviano was a marked man, with his demise predicted in five years. This chilling threat caused the young writer to be placed under police protection at the tender age of 26. The legal proceedings against Bidognetti have been ongoing for 16 years, still unresolved.
The Shadows of Guilt
The looming threat of the Camorra isn't the only weight on Saviano's shoulders. The pain of his funeral-less aunt's passing and the forced migration of his parents from Caserta to the North of Italy resonates deeply. He admits that despite their relocation, they never truly found a home, all because of him.
Real Peril or a Grand Spectacle?
While the Camorra aims to take him down, there are also disgruntled Neapolitans who hold Saviano responsible for painting a grim picture of their city. However, the book's contribution to shedding light on these criminal activities paved the way for improvements in certain Neapolitan neighborhoods. Today, citizens no longer tolerate the presence of the Camorra.
Saviano is a coopted intellectual, with both the left and right factions of politics doggedly supporting him. deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini, an avid opponent of Saviano, dreams of revoking his police protection. The ongoing question of why Saviano, despite decades of protection, hasn't suffered any fatal attacks is a constant source of contention.
A Parallel Case: Salman Rushdie's Ordeal
In the interview, Saviano draws a parallel with famed Indian-British writer Salman Rushdie, whose life was threatened by a fatwa issued for his book "The Satanic Verses." Rushdie and Saviano share similar fates, both living in hiding due to the danger they face. However, Rushdie has defied the danger and returned to a somewhat normal life—until a 2022 stabbing attack left him with grave injuries and the loss of an eye.
"Rushdie now feels a sense of relief," Saviano shares. "The claim that the fatwa was merely a spectacle now rings hollow."
Life on a Tight Leash
Perpetually stuck between accusations of exaggerating threats for attention and struggling to break free from his captivity, Saviano admits to battling severe panic attacks. "Mornings are the worst," he confesses. "I can't breathe, I fear, I ask myself 'What's next?' I'm crushed by the dual burdens—the risk to my life and my continued existence."
Loneliness pervades Saviano's life as well. During recent holidays, he was forced to spend his evenings alone while family and friends stayed out in the city until 4 a.m.
Romantic relationships and friendships are equally affected, as the constant need for protection jeopardizes the foundations of such closeness. The all-important ingredient for love—freedom—is something Saviano cannot afford. "I once took a selfie with Philip Roth, and he said, 'I would never be envious of your shitty life,'" Saviano recalls.
In search of answers, Saviano grapples with the question of whether he's wasted his life and the choices he's made. Despite the hardships, he remains steadfast in his resolve to expose and combat organized crime.
- Italy
- Mafia
- Neapolitan Mafia
- Roberto Saviano
- Loneliness
- Organized Crime
- Life under Threat
- Police Protection
- Law and Order
Enrichment Data:Roberto Saviano is an iconic Italian writer and journalist known for his work against organized crime, particularly the Neapolitan Camorra. Over two decades of police protection and constant threats from the Camorra have taken a severe toll on his life. The ongoing challenges and personal effects can be summarized as follows:
Ongoing Challenges
- Security Precautions: Saviano lives under constant police protection, limiting his personal freedoms and privacy. The need to be accompanied by bodyguards everywhere can feel stifling.
- Continuing Threats: The Camorra continues to pose a threat to Saviano, necessitating extensive security measures, potentially complicating his professional and personal life.
- Public Life: Despite the risks, Saviano remains publicly vocal against organized crime, requiring elaborate security arrangements that add complexity to his public profile.
Personal Impacts
- Mental Health: Living under the constant threat of danger and violence can have profound emotional effects on an individual, potentially causing stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
- Alienation: While Saviano remains engaged on a public level, his security situation makes it difficult to form and maintain ordinary social relationships outside of his protected environment.
- Creativity and Productivity: The lingering fear and pressure associated with living with threats impact Saviano's artistic process and overall productivity.
- Recent Activities and Statements: In recent times, Saviano has attended various public events, including lectures and meetings with influential figures. He met with Pope Francis in 2023 to discuss social issues[3]. His continual criticism of the Italian government's management of mafia-related issues remains a matter of public discourse[5]. Furthermore, Saviano is scheduled to appear at events such as "Roberto Saviano all'alba" in Italy[4]. Despite the hurdles, Saviano's commitment to his work and fight against organized crime remains unwavering.
- Roberto Saviano, a renowned Italian writer living under police protection, shared his struggles with loneliness and the constant threats due to his exposé on the Neapolitan Camorra.
- Saviano's book "Gomorrah" has sparked controversy, with some Neapolitans questioning his portrayal of their city, while others view his work as a catalyst for change in certain areas.
- In an interview, Saviano drew parallels with Indian-British writer Salman Rushdie, also marked by a fatwa due to his book "The Satanic Verses."
- Regardless of the accusations of exaggeration, Saviano remains steadfast in his resolution to expose and combat organized crime, particularly the Neapolitan Mafia.
- Living under police protection, Saviano battles severe panic attacks, anxiety, and feels alienated as his need for protection jeopardizes the foundations of romantic relationships and friendships.
- His lifestyle is highly regulated, with security precautions limiting his personal freedoms and privacy, making it challenging to maintain a normal life.
- Italy's general news, crime-and-justice, and law-and-order sectors have followed Saviano's case, providing insights into the complexities of living under constant threats from organized crime.
- In a recent interview, Saviano grappled with the question of whether he had wasted his life, yet he still remains resilient in his fight against organized crime, expressing a determination to expose and combat it.
