Administrators threatened with bird heads on gate and cars burned: Numbers decreasing, but the phenomenon is more widespread

In recent years, Italy has witnessed a troubling rise in intimidation tactics directed toward local administrators, including mayors, assessors, municipal council members, and public officials. According to the latest report by the association Avviso Pubblico – Local Entities and Regions Against Mafias, there were 309 incidents of threats, intimidation, and violence against these individuals in 2025, representing a decrease of 19 compared to the previous year. Despite this decline, the report highlights that the phenomenon remains widespread, affecting more municipalities and provinces than ever before. The number of affected municipalities rose to 215, while the number of provinces reached 72, marking a 4% increase from 2024. Notably, the province of Naples saw a significant spike with 16 cases recorded.

Regionally, Puglia emerged as the most affected area, reporting 51 cases, a 24% increase from the prior year. This was followed by Campania with 37 cases, Sicily with 35, and Calabria with 32. All these regions have experienced a reduction in threats compared to previous years. However, in contrast, Lombardy saw a dramatic 58% increase in such incidents, becoming the most affected region in the central-north area with 30 cases. Veneto and Lazio each reported 22 cases. Only Trentino-Alto Adige and Molise remained unaffected by these threats.

The majority of the intimidation acts documented by Avviso Pubblico were direct, targeting individuals themselves rather than their property or family members. Incidents involving fire remained the most prevalent method used, accounting for 19.5% of the cases, followed by written threats (17%), social media posts (15%), and verbal or telephone threats (15%). The report also noted a slight decrease of 2% in threats specifically aimed at female administrators, highlighting ongoing concerns about gender-based intimidation.

Among the notable cases cited in the report, the mayor of Mirandola received a photograph depicting her upside down during the 2024 electoral campaign, followed by a threatening letter sent to the town hall the following year. Similarly, an administrator in Montalto di Castro received the head of a bird alongside another anonymous letter. In Lagonegro, two opposition council members faced threats after exposing irregularities in properties owned by members of the ruling party.

According to the report, 26% of the intimidation incidents originated from ordinary citizens, often stemming from dissatisfaction with administrative decisions. Examples include the cutting down of 17 trees for the construction of a roundabout in Besana in Brianza, the installation of an antenna in Saltrio where the mayor was slapped, and the culling of wild boars in Minervino Murge, which led to the arrest of the animal owner for illegal weapon possession and threats against public officials. Additionally, 19% of the threats came from extremists who frequently use symbols associated with anarchism and fascism, while another 19% were linked to social distress situations.

Over the past 16 years, Avviso Pubblico has documented over 6,000 intimidation cases, with the regions historically known for organized crime—Sicily, Calabria, Campania, and Puglia—accounting for 57% of these incidents. The report compiles some of the most prominent cases from last year in Puglia, including continued threats against the mayor of Lequile, the burning of cars belonging to two municipal council members in San Giovanni Rotondo, and the delivery of a lamb's head to a candidate in Carapelle. Other incidents included fires at the residence of a local police commander and a municipal council member in Terlizzi, as well as the burning of environmental service vehicles in Grottaglie and local police cars in Oria.

In a separate incident, a message reading "Donzelli a testa in giù" appeared on a wall in Florence, prompting responses from political figures. Matteo Zoppini, a regional councilor for Fratelli d'Italia (FdI), shared images of the message on his Facebook page, describing it as a serious act rather than a trivial prank. He expressed solidarity with Giovanni Donzelli, the national coordinator of FdI, who had previously received death threats. Political leaders from FdI, including Galeazzo Bignami, the group leader in the Chamber of Deputies, and Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, condemned the intimidation as unacceptable and emphasized the need to uphold democratic values and respect for institutions.

Another case highlighted the violent behavior of an ex-husband towards an assistant in Puglia. Graziamaria Starace, under investigation along with the mayor of Vieste, Nobiletti, for the revocation of a concession on the beach formerly owned by her ex-husband, faced physical abuse and threats from him. Some incidents occurred in front of their children, according to reports. Starace’s former partner, Corso, described the separation as painful but stated he always ensured the financial support for their children. These cases underscore the complex interplay between personal conflicts and broader issues of intimidation and violence against public officials.