Ranucci's Zimbabwe carbon credit interview follows Lavitola raid

Sigfrido Ranucci was interviewed as an authoritative source on carbon credits by a Zimbabwean newspaper on July 5, hours after a police search of Valter Lavitola's home, the alleged mastermind of the attack on the former Report host. The interview with The Standard followed a two-hour phone call between Ranucci and Lavitola around 3:30 a.m., during which they discussed the recent events and a possible alibi. Lavitola had invested in Zimbabwe's carbon credit business, clashing with local partners. The article, later removed, addressed corruption claims against Italian entrepreneurs in the sector. A Zimbabwean businessman reported receiving about €270,000 from Lavitola. Investigators have also noted deleted chats between the two men, with only Lavitola's phone forensically copied.