Living in the Crosshairs: Roberto Saviano's Life under Police Protection
By Andrea Affaticati, Milan
Roberto Saviano resides under protective measures akin to a detained individual due to threats from organized crime groups.
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Roberto Saviano, a renowned Italian author, is no stranger to danger. His 2006 book, "Gomorrah," exposed the Neapolitan mafia, and the Camorra didn't take kindly to that. Today, Saviano finds himself living under police protection, pondering whether he made a mistake. In a candid interview with an Italian newspaper, he opened up about his life under constant threat.
"There have been times when I've considered taking my own life," confesses Saviano in an interview with the Italian daily "Corriere della Sera." With police protection for the past 20 years, only those who've experienced it can understand the demands it puts on him.
Born and bred in Naples, Saviano is now 44 years old. "Gomorrah" brought him international fame, describing the structure and activities of the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia, and landing him in their crosshairs.
The Price of Truth
The Camorra's Unwavering Enmity
Above all, Camorra boss Francesco Bidognetti, also known as Cicciotto di Mezzanotte, and his lawyer made it clear that Saviano would meet his end within five years. At the time, Saviano was just 26 years old, and he received police protection. The trial against the mafia boss has been ongoing for 16 years, still unresolved.
Saviano shares his guilt towards his family with his interviewer Aldo Cazzullo. He remembers the funeral of an aunt who recently passed away and meant a lot to him: "In reality, it wasn't a funeral at all. I was alone on the cemetery. My parents once lived in Caserta (not far from Naples, note of the editor). They had to move to northern Italy in 2006 because of me. But they never settled there."
The Illusion of Danger or Reality?
The Controversy Surrounding Saviano
Apart from the Camorristi who wish him dead, there are also ordinary Neapolitans who can't forgive Saviano for the image he painted of Naples with "Gomorrah." Even though his book accurately depicted the city and contributed to bringing attention to these criminal activities and, in turn, positively influencing the situation, this aspect is rarely recognized. The fact that one can now move around safely in some Neapolitan neighborhoods owes itself to Saviano's courage. People no longer want the Camorristi.
The author belongs to those intellectuals who have been embraced by politics. The left carries him on their shoulders, while the right bristles at the mere mention of his name. National-populist Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, Infrastructure Minister and Lega leader, dreams of withdrawing his police protection. Saviano is also confronted with the question of why he has had police protection for decades without any attacks so far.
A Tale of Resilience: Salman Rushdie's Ordeal
The Fatwa's Long Shadow
In the interview, Saviano references the Indian-British writer Salman Rushdie, with whom he has been friends for a long time. His 1988 book "The Satanic Verses" earned him a fatwa. He became a global target for Muslims, and still is, with a multi-million-dollar bounty on his head. Rushdie received police protection and lived in hiding for years.
"At some point, he decided to defy the danger and live freely and normally again. This was possible for a while. Until the summer of 2022, when Rushdie was seriously injured in a stabbing attack and lost an eye," emphasizes Saviano. "The irony is that Rushdie now feels relieved. No one can argue that the fatwa is just a spectacle anymore."
Living under personal protection means dealing with two things for Saviano: "On the one hand, being criticized for exaggerating the danger and seeking attention. On the other hand, constantly questioning oneself: 'How do I escape this imprisonment?'"
The Toll of Constant Vigilance
The Challenges Faced by Saviano
Living under police protection requires constant vigilance, leading to feelings of paranoia and anxiety. These emotions can adversely affect his mental health and well-being. Moreover, the need for security isolates him from friends and family, making personal relationships difficult to maintain.
"Even love relationships are affected by the restrictions in my mobility," Saviano explains. "Especially with love, since it demands freedom, and that freedom I don't have."
The interview delves into Saviano's feelings of loneliness during significant events, such as Easter, when close friends and family visited last until 9 pm. After that, they went out to Naples until 4 am. Saviano feels happiness for them, yet he must remain alone.
"Whether friendships or romantic relationships, both are negatively impacted by my limited mobility," Saviano confesses. "This is particularly true when it comes to love. If I have feelings for someone who feels the same way, the relationship is doomed from the start."
Love demands freedom, and that freedom is something Saviano doesn't have.
"Once, I took a selfie with Philip Roth, and he said, 'I would never be envious of your shit life,'" Saviano recounts. This sentiment is understandable, as he would love a different life, one without the constant questions about whether he has wasted his life. The answer to that question remains elusive, and the self-doubt persists.
- Roberto Saviano, under police protection for 20 years due to his exposé on the Neapolitan mafia, contemplates whether he made a mistake in revealing the truth about them.
- In an interview with the Italian daily "Corriere della Sera," Saviano shares his guilt towards his family and recalls the isolation they faced when they were forced to move due to the threats against him.
- Saviano's book, "Gomorrah," accurately exposed the criminal activities of the Camorra, but received backlash from ordinary Neapolitans for the negative image it painted of their city.
- Matteo Salvini, the national-populist Deputy Prime Minister, dreams of withdrawing Saviano's police protection, reflecting the political controversy surrounding him.
- Referencing Salman Rushdie, a friend and fellow author who faced a fatwa, Saviano also questions whether living under constant protection is a necessary sacrifice for telling the truth.
- Living under police protection has taken a toll on Saviano's personal life, affecting his mental health, relationships, and ability to experience social events freely, including love relationships that demand freedom and independence.
