Caged Existence: Roberto Saviano Weighs Regret Amidst Mafia Terror
Roberto Saviano is effectively confined, leading a life analogous to imprisonment.
By Andrea Affaticati, Milan — More Info — Facebook — Twitter — Whatsapp — Email — Print — Copy Link
In a raw, honest confession to the Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera," author Roberto Saviano admits he's considered suicide several times. For two decades, he's lived under constant police protection, a life many can scarcely comprehend.
Hailing from Naples, Saviano is now 44 and gained international recognition with his 2006 reportage and documentary book "Gomorrah." In it, he exposed the Neapolitan mafia, the Camorra, and found himself squarely in their crosshairs.
Francesco Bidognetti, also known as Cicciotto di Mezzanotte, and his lawyer made it clear to Saviano he would be dead within five years. At the age of 26, with a police escort, he began a life on the run. The trial against the mafia boss has been ongoing for 16 years and is yet to be completed.
The Camorristi's Torment and the City's Shame
Opposing forces react to Saviano. Some Neapolitans, enraged by the negative image he painted of their city, can never forgive him. Others welcome the attention his work has brought, leading to positive changes and safer neighborhoods.
A national-populist figure, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, desires to revoke his police protection. Questions swirl around why Saviano has been allowed to live freely for so long while under constant threat.
Shadows of the East: Rushdie's Courage, Saviano's Struggle
Saviano references his friend, Indo-British writer Salman Rushdie, who faced a similar ordeal. His 1988 book "The Satanic Verses" earned a fatwa, making him a global target for Muslims. A hefty bounty was placed on his head, and he endured police protection and living in hiding for years.
Eventually, Rushdie decided to challenge the danger and live freely once more. However, tragedy struck in the summer of 2022 when he was severely injured in a stabbing attack and lost an eye. "Rushdie now feels a sense of relief," Saviano remarks. "No longer can anyone claim the fatwa is just a spectacle."
Living under personal protection demands sacrifice and asks questions of beyond-the-call-duty loyalty. "Two burdens crush me," confesses Saviano. "One, because I risk my life. The other, because I still live."
Panic, Loneliness, and the Struggle for Freedom
Does Saviano suffer from panic attacks? "Constantly," he admits, "I couldn't handle it without medication." It's five in the morning when the weight of the world feels heaviest, when he queries, "So, where do I run now?"
The isolation is unending. Even on holidays, he is trapped, while friends and family revel in freedom. Love remains elusive, as the restrictions inherent in being under protection torpedo every budding romance. "Love demands freedom, and that I don't have," laments Saviano.
His essay titled "Loyalty: Women in the Mafia—Cruel Violence and Brutal Control" delves into the suffering endured by women in organized crime families. Yet, his struggles and sacrifices often overshadow the message of resilience and defiance he aims to convey.
This life—one of fear, isolation, and loneliness—has left Saviano aching with regret and questioning whether he has wasted his life. "I would have chosen a different life," he concedes. "One free of constant questioning and self-torture."
- Italy
- Mafia
- Italian Mafia
- Roberto Saviano, living under constant police protection due to the threat of the Neapolitan mafia, has considered suicide several times.
- Saviano, at 44, is internationally recognized for his work "Gomorrah," which exposed the Camorra.
- The trial against the mafia boss has been ongoing for 16 years.
- Some Neapolitans are enraged by Saviano's portrayal of their city, while others appreciate the attention his work brings.
- Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini wants to revoke Saviano's police protection.
- Saviano references the ordeal of his friend, Salman Rushdie, who faced a similar situation.
- Rushdie, after years of living in hiding, was severely injured in a stabbing attack in 2022.
- Living under personal protection demands sacrifice and raises questions of beyond-the-call-duty loyalty.
- Saviano suffers from constant panic attacks and requires medication.
- The isolation is unending, even on holidays, as he remains trapped while friends and family enjoy freedom.
- Love remains elusive due to the restrictions inherent in being under protection.
- In his essay, Saviano delves into the suffering endured by women in organized crime families.
- Saviano's struggles and sacrifices often overshadow the message of resilience and defiance he aims to convey.
- This life of fear, isolation, and loneliness has left Saviano with regret and wondering if he has wasted his life.
- Despite the challenges, Saviano wishes for a life free of constant questioning and self-torture.
- The controversy surrounding Saviano's work encompasses themes such as community policy, employment policy, lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, personal-finance, data-and-cloud-computing, technology, relationships, books, migration, education-and-self-development, personal-growth, social-media, movies-and-tv, war-and-conflicts, career-development, entertainment, celebrities, music, politics, pop-culture, sci-fi-and-fantasy, general-news, crime-and-justice, sports, sports-betting, weather, and weather-forecasting.
