Rahmouni remains in prison.

A Tunisian man has remained in custody after being charged with the murder and burning of sports journalist Luca Esposito, according to judicial authorities in Salerno, southern Italy. The 26-year-old, Ridha Rahmouni, was denied release following an hour-long hearing on Monday, during which Judge Giandomenico D’Agostino confirmed the charges against him. The court upheld the accusation of voluntary homicide aggravated by cruelty and premeditation, along with the charge of hiding a corpse. The decision follows Rahmouni’s arrest by Carabineri officers on the night of July 25–26, just days after Esposito's body was found burned in a rural field near Eboli, a town in the province of Salerno. Esposito, a well-known figure in Italian sports journalism, was discovered in a farm area known locally as Cioffi. His death occurred approximately a week prior to his body being recovered. According to police reports, Rahmouni was detained shortly after the discovery, and he immediately cooperated with investigators. During his initial interrogation, he described the events of the night in question with calmness, explaining that his actions were motivated by religious beliefs, specifically, the Muslim prohibition against relationships outside marriage. He was represented by lawyer Giovanni Mauri, who noted that while Rahmouni had reiterated some statements made during his arrest, additional details emerged that could influence the case. Forensic examinations revealed that Esposito had been severely beaten before being set ablaze while still alive. Investigators have confirmed that Rahmouni and Esposito knew each other for about a month, based on phone records showing increased communication between them around the time of the incident. The last contact between them took place on the night of July 18–19, when their phones connected in the same location. This suggests that the meeting was planned, though Esposito did not appear to perceive it as dangerous. He reportedly shared little personal information with friends or family, even regarding his social circle. Lawyer Mauri emphasized that the legal proceedings remain incomplete, noting that several aspects of the case require further investigation. He stated that although the current charges are based on available evidence, they might change as more information comes to light. In particular, he mentioned the need to examine technical elements related to the victim’s death, which could alter the nature of the accusations. He also declined to comment on whether others were involved in the crime, stating that such matters would become clearer as the inquiry progresses. The lawyer added that he had spoken with Rahmouni both early on the morning of July 25 and again before the hearing. He expressed confidence that more crucial evidence will emerge as the investigation continues, though he acknowledged that this process could take months. The legal team plans to return to Rahmouni soon, hoping to obtain further insights from him. As the case moves forward, the focus remains on gathering more details that could either support or challenge the existing narrative surrounding the tragic incident.