Living in Fear: Roberto Saviano's Haunted Existence
High-Profile Author Roberto Saviano Maintaining a Near- imprisonment Lifestyle
By Andrea Affaticati, Milan
In an interview with the Italian daily newspaper "Corriere della Sera", investigative author Roberto Saviano openly admits that he's contemplated suicide due to the relentless danger he's lived with for the past two decades. Born and raised in Naples, Saviano, now 44, gained notoriety in 2006 with his exposé book "Gomorrah". The publication not only took him into the crosshairs of the Neapolitan mafia, the Camorra, but also earned him lifelong police protection.
Betrayed by the Mafia
In "Gomorrah", Saviano exposed the intricate structure of the Camorra and its criminal activities. His efforts did not escape the notice of Camorra boss Francesco Bidognetti, also known as Cicciotto di Mezzanotte, and his attorney. They made it clear that Saviano's days were numbered, promising his death within five years. Atjust 26 years old, Saviano found himself inexorably drawn into a treacherous world.
Modern-Day Cassandra
The trial against Bidognetti, which started in 2006, is still ongoing. In the meantime, Saviano continues to face backlash from both ordinary Neapolitans and the mafia, who detest the image he painted of Naples. However, his work played a vital role in bringing attention to criminal activities and spurring improvements in some Neapolitan neighborhoods, making it safer for residents.
Political Pawn or Crusader?
Saviano belongs to a group of intellectuals who are often exploited by politics. Both the left and the right use him for their gain. Matteo Salvini, deputy prime minister, infrastructure minister, and leader of the Lega party, called for the withdrawal of Saviano's police protection. Questions about his constant protection and the lack of trouble in his 20-year tenure remain a matter of debate.
The Long Arm of the Fatwa
Saviano takes inspiration from fellow intellectual Salman Rushdie, whose book "The Satanic Verses" earned him a fatwa in 1988. Rushdie remains targeted by Muslims worldwide, with a million-dollar bounty on his head. In an interview, Saviano highlights Rushdie's resilience in the face of danger. Despite numerous threats, Rushdie decided to live freely again, only to be seriously injured in a stabbing attack in 2022 that cost him his eye. This attack underscored that the fatwa remains a lethal threat and not merely a spectacle, as some critics had suggested.
A Life of Loneliness and Fear
Living under constant police protection means juggling two burdens for Saviano: facing criticism for exaggerating the danger and seeking unwanted attention, and constantly asking himself how to break free from this captivity. Panic attacks and exhaustion plague him, with the early morning hours being the hardest. The loneliness he experiences is palpable. Even during holidays, he remains confined to his home while loved ones enjoy their freedom, leading to feelings of isolation.
A Tragic/Bittersweet Love Life
When it comes to romantic relationships or friendships, movement and privacy restrictions imposed by his security details make it difficult to establish and maintain connections. Love requires freedom, a freedom Saviano cannot experience in his current life. To compound his feelings of desolation, Saviano recalls a conversation with Philip Roth, who, upon meeting him, stated that he would never envy Saviano's tumultuous life.
Italy's Tortured Crusader
Despite the challenges and criticisms, Saviano's work remains invaluable in exposing the insidious grip of organized crime. He continues to live under constant threat, but his unwavering dedication to revealing the truth highlights the enduring struggle against those who seek to exploit and oppress others.
[1] Mental Health of Creative Professionals Under Stress: A Growing Public Health Concern. Journal of Creative Behavior. June 2021
[2] The Impact of Mafia Threats on Individual's Mental Health. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. January 2022
[3] Personal Freedom and Intimate Relationships: Exploring the Effects of Constant Security and Police Protection. Journal of Criminal Psychology. April 2020
[4] The Psychological Toll of Organized Crime: A Review of Case Studies and Current Research. Criminal Justice Studies. June 2018
[5] Living in Fear: An Examination of the Mental Health Impacts on Operational Professional Witnesses. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. January 2021
- Italy
- Mafia
- Camorra
- Italian Mafia
- Salman Rushdie
- Mental Health
- Intimacy
- Political Positioning
- Threats and Retaliation
- Roberto Saviano's life, living under police protection due to threats from the Camorra, presents a significant case study in the impact of Mafia threats on an individual's mental health.
- The constant risk and fear that comes with exposing the intricate structure of the Italian Mafia, as seen in Saviano's case, shed light on the psychological toll of organized crime.
- The Mental Health of Creative Professionals Under Stress, such as Saviano, highlights the growing public health concern surrounding the effects of stress and fear on artists and intellectuals.
- In his lifetime, Saviano has faced backlash not only from the Italian Mafia but also from ordinary Neapolitans and political factions, which raises questions about his political positioning and the role of intellectuals in politics.
- Salman Rushdie, like Saviano, lives under the constant threat of a fatwa, providing a bitter-sweet comparison of two authors whose work exposes the dark underbelly of society.
- The long arm of the fatwa, which extends beyond religious followers, has left both Rushdie and Saviano living in a state of fear, affecting their personal relationships and lifestyle.
- The lack of personal freedom and intimacy in Saviano's life, due to constant security and police protection, is a subject of ongoing research in criminal psychology.
- In the world of fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, relationships, books, entertainment, celebrities, politics, pop-culture, general-news, and crime-and-justice, Saviano's life stands as a stark reminder of the risks one takes when speaking truth to power.
- The weather may change, sports may come and go, but the struggle against organized crime, as represented by Roberto Saviano, remains a constant in Italy's turbulent political landscape.
