Living in Danger: Roberto Saviano's Continual Battle with the Neapolitan Mafia
Roberto Saviano is effectively confined, living under constant surveillance and protection due to threats from the mafia.
By Andrea Affaticati, Milan
Roberto Saviano, a fearless crusader against the Neapolitan mafia, has spent the last two decades under constant police protection - a guardianship that has transformed his life into a solitary existence. In an interview with the Italian daily "Corriere della Sera," Saviano candidly discusses his feelings of guilt and the never-ending question of whether he made a mistake by exposing the Neapolitan mafia.
At just 26 years old, Saviano, a native Neapolitan, had reason to fear for his life after releasing his seminal work, "Gomorrah." The book, which documented the structure and activities of the local mob, brought him global acclaim but also a death sentence from Camorra boss Francesco Bidognetti, better known as Cicciotto di Mezzanotte, and his lawyer. Sixteen years later, the trial against the mafia boss is still ongoing.
A Life of Limitations
Tormented by the memory of his aunt's funeral, where he was all alone due to his protective measures, Saviano confesses his feelings of guilt towards his family. "In fact, it wasn't even a funeral," he shares. "There was no one at the cemetery. My parents once lived in Caserta (not far from Naples, note of the ed.). They had to move to northern Italy as early as 2006. Also because of me. But they never settled there."
Real Menace or Stage Prop?
Beyond the Camorristi intent on taking his life, there are also ordinary Neapolitans who hold a grudge against Saviano for his portrayal of their city in "Gomorrah." While his revealing book undeniably exposed the criminal underbelly of Naples, it also brought attention to these issues and facilitated positive changes in some neighborhoods, offering citizens a safer livelihood. Sadly, this aspect of his impact often goes unnoticed.
As a prominent intellectual, Saviano has been embraced by Italian politics, with both the left and right courting his support. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, leader of the right-wing Lega party, has even advocated for the withdrawal of Saviano's police protection. To this, Saviano responds by pointing to Salman Rushdie, the Indian-British writer who endured a similar fate after his book "The Satanic Verses" earned him a fatwa.
In 2022, Rushdie was gravely injured in a stabbing attack and lost an eye. Despite years of living relatively normal and free after Rushdie decided to defy the danger posed by the fatwa, the attack serves as a harsh reminder that the threats against him remained dire. "The irony is that Rushdie now feels relieved," Saviano notes. "No one can claim that the fatwa is just a spectacle anymore."
The Burden of Celebrity and Constant Danger
Living under personal protection has two main implications for Saviano: constant criticism accusing him of seeking attention and exaggerating the danger, and the constant challenge of figuring out how to escape from this self-imposed imprisonment. When asked if he suffers from panic attacks, Saviano admits that he does, and that he cannot cope without medication. Early morning hours are particularly tough for him. "You can't breathe," he explains. "You ask yourself: And now? Where do I go? I am crushed by two burdens. One, because I'm risking my life, the other, because I'm still alive."
Isolation and loneliness are significant themes in Saviano's life. He recounts the loneliness he experienced during the last Easter holidays, when family and friends visited him until 7 pm and then went out in Naples until 4 am. "I'm happy for them," he says. "But I had to stay at home."
The Cost of Freedom
Friendships and romantic relationships are difficult to maintain within the constraints of Saviano's protected life. "Love demands freedom, and that freedom I don't have," he admits. Despite the challenges, Saviano continues to maneuver through the tumultuous voyage of personal and professional growth, uniquely chronicling the psychological and emotional toll of living with imminent danger and constant surveillance.
Sources:
- ntv.de
Keywords:
- Roberto Saviano
- Mafia
- Camorra
- Police Protection
- Loneliness
- Italy
- Threats
- Fatwa
- Salman Rushdie
- Artistic Expression
- Psychological Impact
- Protected Life
Note:
- Incorporated salient elements from the enrichment data to enhance the article, focusing specifically on Saviano's ongoing challenges and the psychological toll of his guarded existence, as well as his continued engagement in creative projects and public activism despite the obstacles.
- Roberto Saviano, under constant police protection due to his exposé on the Neapolitan mafia, expresses guilt over his aunt's solitary funeral, a result of his safety measures.
- The backlash from ordinary Neapolitans towards Saviano's portrayal of their city in 'Gomorrah' coexists with the threat from the Camorra, yet his work has facilitated positive changes in some neighborhoods.
- Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini suggests withdrawing Saviano's police protection, a move met with a comparison to Salman Rushdie's experience after his book "The Satanic Verses" earned him a fatwa.
- In 2022, Rushdie faced a physical attack, providing a reminder for Saviano that the threats against him remain tangible, despite the passing years.
- Living under protection has meant coping with the label of seeking attention and dealing with the emotional challenges of feeling trapped, including nightly panic attacks and isolation.
- Saviano's romantic relationships and friendships have been strained by the demands of his protected life, with freedom being a crucial element for love.
- Despite these hurdles, Saviano perseveres, documenting the psychological and emotional toll of living under imminent danger and constant surveillance while continuing his creative projects and activism.
