Casalesi Boss Term Upheld for Saviano Threats

Naples: Casalesi crime boss Francesco Bidognetti on Monday saw his one and a half year jail term upheld on appeal for threatening anti-mafia writer Roberto Saviano in a Naples court in 2008. Bidognetti had been previously involved in issuing death threats against Saviano, which had resulted in the writer being placed under police protection.

According to Ansa News Agency, Bidognetti, along with a lawyer, was re-convicted for making new threats against Saviano and extending these threats to anti-Mob journalist Rosaria Capacchione. These threats were in response to Saviano’s 2006 expos©, “Gomorra,” which shed light on the activities of the Camorra mafia family in Campania.

“Gomorra” was adapted into a film in 2008, achieving significant acclaim by winning second prize at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. It also inspired a successful international TV series, further amplifying its impact.

Bidognetti, along with other Casalesi bosses, is already serving long-term to life sentences for various crimes, including murder. The Casalesi family derives its name from its stronghold in Casal di Principe, located north of Naples.