Italian Unabomber
Encyclopedia
The Italian Unabomber
is a name given by the international media to an unknown terrorist tied to a series of booby-trap bombings in northern Italy
, specifically in the Veneto
and Friuli-Venezia Giulia
regions, which began in 1994. Italian law enforcement officials and the FBI believed that Unabomber is Elvo Zornitta, a 49-year-old engineer who has been charged with the planting of 20 of the bombs after police raided his home in August 2006. Though it is possible a group is behind the attacks, the prevailing assumption of the investigation and media reports is that one man is behind the crimes. Dubbed the Unabomber by the Italian media and correspondingly called the Italian Unabomber by the international press, the bomber is named after the American
convicted murderer Theodore Kaczynski
, referred to as the "Unabomber" during his criminal career. Kaczynski planted miniature bombs in mail packages sent to selected targets that killed three people and injured 23. Similar to Kaczynski, the Italian Unabomber hides bombs in everyday items, though never targeting anyone in particular. Instead, his bombs are set off by whoever happens to handle the booby-trapped object, including pens, candy containers and food jars. These objects are generally then placed in public places to await activation and are designed not to kill, but only to seriously injure a single person at short distance. Many of these devices are meant for small children using chocolate eggs, coloring markers, and bubble blowing tubes. Generally, the explosions severely injure limbs, hands, arms, faces and most of all eyes. Unlike Kaczynski, the attacker has made no political or economic demands. Several of his devices seem to have been planted in the "Continente" supermarket in the city of Portogruaro
.
On August 28, 2006 Italian police raided the house of Elvo Zornitta, a 49-year-old engineer who has been under surveillance for a year. Police have suspected Zornitta for two years but had no proof until investigators raided his house and found a pair of scissors that forensic experts have linked to a bomb that failed to go off in 2004, with the blades that match the cut of a piece of tape used to fix one of the bombs. Booby-traps have been left in household items such as egg boxes, toothpaste and toys. "There is no such thing as the perfect crime and not even the Unabomber can get away with it cleanly", said Col Luciano Garofano, of the Carabinieri
military police. Elvio Zornitta will face trial on October 10, 2006 where the experts designated by the judges in charge of investigations into the crimes committed by the mysterious 'Unabomber' and those appointed by that main suspect Elvo Zornitta will be heard in Trieste
and evidence will be examined. One of the two experts designated by Trieste's anti-mafia judge Enzo Truncellit is an FBI detective, Carlo J. Rosato, who will come directly from the United States
. The second expert is Pietro Benedetti from Brescia
.
In January 2009, after years of investigations, Elvo Zornitta, walks out of the case after the investigators have asked his acquittal, for lack of proofs to his charge.
The proofs to his charge were manipulated by the policeman Ezio Zernar. Elvo Zornitta required 2,500,000 euro as reparation for the manipulated proofs.
Theodore Kaczynski
Theodore John "Ted" Kaczynski , also known as the "Unabomber" , is an American mathematician, social critic, anarcho-primitivist, and Neo-Luddite who engaged in a mail bombing campaign that spanned nearly 20 years, killing three people and injuring 23 others.Kaczynski was born in Chicago, Illinois,...
is a name given by the international media to an unknown terrorist tied to a series of booby-trap bombings in northern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, specifically in the Veneto
Veneto
Veneto is one of the 20 regions of Italy. Its population is about 5 million, ranking 5th in Italy.Veneto had been for more than a millennium an independent state, the Republic of Venice, until it was eventually annexed by Italy in 1866 after brief Austrian and French rule...
and Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Friuli–Venezia Giulia is one of the twenty regions of Italy, and one of five autonomous regions with special statute. The capital is Trieste. It has an area of 7,858 km² and about 1.2 million inhabitants. A natural opening to the sea for many Central European countries, the region is...
regions, which began in 1994. Italian law enforcement officials and the FBI believed that Unabomber is Elvo Zornitta, a 49-year-old engineer who has been charged with the planting of 20 of the bombs after police raided his home in August 2006. Though it is possible a group is behind the attacks, the prevailing assumption of the investigation and media reports is that one man is behind the crimes. Dubbed the Unabomber by the Italian media and correspondingly called the Italian Unabomber by the international press, the bomber is named after the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
convicted murderer Theodore Kaczynski
Theodore Kaczynski
Theodore John "Ted" Kaczynski , also known as the "Unabomber" , is an American mathematician, social critic, anarcho-primitivist, and Neo-Luddite who engaged in a mail bombing campaign that spanned nearly 20 years, killing three people and injuring 23 others.Kaczynski was born in Chicago, Illinois,...
, referred to as the "Unabomber" during his criminal career. Kaczynski planted miniature bombs in mail packages sent to selected targets that killed three people and injured 23. Similar to Kaczynski, the Italian Unabomber hides bombs in everyday items, though never targeting anyone in particular. Instead, his bombs are set off by whoever happens to handle the booby-trapped object, including pens, candy containers and food jars. These objects are generally then placed in public places to await activation and are designed not to kill, but only to seriously injure a single person at short distance. Many of these devices are meant for small children using chocolate eggs, coloring markers, and bubble blowing tubes. Generally, the explosions severely injure limbs, hands, arms, faces and most of all eyes. Unlike Kaczynski, the attacker has made no political or economic demands. Several of his devices seem to have been planted in the "Continente" supermarket in the city of Portogruaro
Portogruaro
Portogruaro is a town and comune in the province of Venice, Veneto, northern Italy.-History:Portogruaro was founded in 1140, when the bishop of Concordia, Gervinus, gave right to several fishermen to settle here and build a river port. A castle existed here, however, as early as the 10th century...
.
On August 28, 2006 Italian police raided the house of Elvo Zornitta, a 49-year-old engineer who has been under surveillance for a year. Police have suspected Zornitta for two years but had no proof until investigators raided his house and found a pair of scissors that forensic experts have linked to a bomb that failed to go off in 2004, with the blades that match the cut of a piece of tape used to fix one of the bombs. Booby-traps have been left in household items such as egg boxes, toothpaste and toys. "There is no such thing as the perfect crime and not even the Unabomber can get away with it cleanly", said Col Luciano Garofano, of the Carabinieri
Carabinieri
The Carabinieri is the national gendarmerie of Italy, policing both military and civilian populations, and is a branch of the armed forces.-Early history:...
military police. Elvio Zornitta will face trial on October 10, 2006 where the experts designated by the judges in charge of investigations into the crimes committed by the mysterious 'Unabomber' and those appointed by that main suspect Elvo Zornitta will be heard in Trieste
Trieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
and evidence will be examined. One of the two experts designated by Trieste's anti-mafia judge Enzo Truncellit is an FBI detective, Carlo J. Rosato, who will come directly from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The second expert is Pietro Benedetti from Brescia
Brescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
.
In January 2009, after years of investigations, Elvo Zornitta, walks out of the case after the investigators have asked his acquittal, for lack of proofs to his charge.
The proofs to his charge were manipulated by the policeman Ezio Zernar. Elvo Zornitta required 2,500,000 euro as reparation for the manipulated proofs.
1994
- August 21, 1994,
- The first attack attributed to the bomber occurred during a bird parade attended by 50,000 in SacileSacileSacile is a town and comune in the province of Pordenone, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of north-east Italy. It is known as the "Garden of the Serenissima" after the many palaces that were constructed along the river Livenza for the nobility of the Most Serene Republic of...
(near PordenonePordenonePordenone is a comune of Pordenone province of northeast Italy in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.The name comes from the Latin "Portus Naonis" meaning the port on the river Noncello - History :...
). Four people sustained minor cuts from debris scattered by the crude bomb planted on the ground.
- The first attack attributed to the bomber occurred during a bird parade attended by 50,000 in Sacile
- December 17, 1994
- A bomb-tube was found in front a StandaStanda-History:It was founded in 1931 as Magazzini Standard by a former executive of UPIM and subsequently renamed as Standa . When it was bought by Montedison in 1966 it had 126 branches all over Italy...
shop in the town of PordenonePordenonePordenone is a comune of Pordenone province of northeast Italy in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.The name comes from the Latin "Portus Naonis" meaning the port on the river Noncello - History :...
.
- A bomb-tube was found in front a Standa
- December 18, 1994
- A bomb was discovered inside a church in AvianoAvianoAviano is a town and comune of province of Pordenone at the foot of the Dolomites mountain range in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, northern Italy.-History:...
(near PordenonePordenonePordenone is a comune of Pordenone province of northeast Italy in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.The name comes from the Latin "Portus Naonis" meaning the port on the river Noncello - History :...
).
- A bomb was discovered inside a church in Aviano
1995
- March 5, 1995
- Two distinct bomb-tube explosions were observed in the downtown area of Azzano DecimoAzzano DecimoAzzano Decimo is a comune in the Province of Pordenone in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about 90 km northwest of Trieste and about 11 km southeast of Pordenone...
.
- Two distinct bomb-tube explosions were observed in the downtown area of Azzano Decimo
- September 30, 1995
- In the first attack resulting in a serious injury, an elderly woman activated a booby trap, resulting in an amputatedAmputationAmputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for...
arm.
- In the first attack resulting in a serious injury, an elderly woman activated a booby trap, resulting in an amputated
- December 11, 1995
- Bomb explodes in AquileiaAquileiaAquileia is an ancient Roman city in what is now Italy, at the head of the Adriatic at the edge of the lagoons, about 10 km from the sea, on the river Natiso , the course of which has changed somewhat since Roman times...
.
- Bomb explodes in Aquileia
- December 24, 1995
- Bomb explodes in LatisanaLatisanaLatisana is a town and comune in the province of Udine, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of north-eastern Italy, on the Tagliamento river.-History:The city was probably a Roman post station on the Via Annia which connected Concordia to Aquileia....
.
- Bomb explodes in Latisana
- December 26, 1995
- Bomb explodes in Bibione.
1996
- April 2, 1996
- Bomb explodes in ClautClautClaut is a comune in the Province of Pordenone in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about 120 km northwest of Trieste and about 35 km northwest of Pordenone...
.
- Bomb explodes in Claut
- April 22, 1996
- Bomb explodes in Bannia di Fiume Veneto.
- August 4, 1996
- Bomb explodes under a beach parasol in Lignano SabbiadoroLignano SabbiadoroLignano Sabbiadoro is a village and comune within the province of Udine, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region . It is one of the main summer resorts in northern Italy and in the Adriatic Sea coast.-History:...
, injuring a holidaymaker.
- Bomb explodes under a beach parasol in Lignano Sabbiadoro
2000
- July 6, 2000
- A pipe bomb explodes at a beach in Lignano SabbiadoroLignano SabbiadoroLignano Sabbiadoro is a village and comune within the province of Udine, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region . It is one of the main summer resorts in northern Italy and in the Adriatic Sea coast.-History:...
, injuring a former police officer.
- A pipe bomb explodes at a beach in Lignano Sabbiadoro
- September 13, 2000
- A bomb explodes in Santo Stino di LivenzaSanto Stino di LivenzaSanto Stino di Livenza is a town in the province of Venice, Veneto, northern Italy. It is connected by the SP61 provincial road.-Sources:*...
.
- A bomb explodes in Santo Stino di Livenza
- October 31, 2000
- A bomb placed inside an egg at the supermarket 'Continente' in PortogruaroPortogruaroPortogruaro is a town and comune in the province of Venice, Veneto, northern Italy.-History:Portogruaro was founded in 1140, when the bishop of Concordia, Gervinus, gave right to several fishermen to settle here and build a river port. A castle existed here, however, as early as the 10th century...
is discovered and defused by bomb disposalBomb disposalBomb disposal is the process by which hazardous explosive devices are rendered safe. Bomb disposal is an all encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated functions in the following fields:*Military:...
technicians.
- A bomb placed inside an egg at the supermarket 'Continente' in Portogruaro
- November 1, 2000
- A bomb explodes in Santo Stino di LivenzaSanto Stino di LivenzaSanto Stino di Livenza is a town in the province of Venice, Veneto, northern Italy. It is connected by the SP61 provincial road.-Sources:*...
.
- A bomb explodes in Santo Stino di Livenza
2001
- November 2, 2001
- A 63-year-old woman was injured when a votive candleVotive candleA votive candle or prayer candle is a small candle, typically white or beeswax yellow, intended to be burnt as a votive offering in a religious ceremony. It now also refers to a standard size of candle two inches high by one and a half inches diameter, of any color or scent.-Christian use:Candles...
in a cemetery explodes in Motta di Livenza.
- A 63-year-old woman was injured when a votive candle
- November 6, 2001
- A bomb explodes after it's placed inside a tube of tomato sauce, on sale at the 'Continente' supermarket in PortogruaroPortogruaroPortogruaro is a town and comune in the province of Venice, Veneto, northern Italy.-History:Portogruaro was founded in 1140, when the bishop of Concordia, Gervinus, gave right to several fishermen to settle here and build a river port. A castle existed here, however, as early as the 10th century...
, seriously injuring a woman in the left hand.
- A bomb explodes after it's placed inside a tube of tomato sauce, on sale at the 'Continente' supermarket in Portogruaro
- November 17, 2001
- A bomb is discovered inside a mayonnaise sauce tube by an alarmed customer and safely defused by bomb disposalBomb disposalBomb disposal is the process by which hazardous explosive devices are rendered safe. Bomb disposal is an all encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated functions in the following fields:*Military:...
technicians in PortogruaroPortogruaroPortogruaro is a town and comune in the province of Venice, Veneto, northern Italy.-History:Portogruaro was founded in 1140, when the bishop of Concordia, Gervinus, gave right to several fishermen to settle here and build a river port. A castle existed here, however, as early as the 10th century...
.
- A bomb is discovered inside a mayonnaise sauce tube by an alarmed customer and safely defused by bomb disposal
2002
- July 23, 2002
- A bomb is discovered in the supermarket 'Iperstanda' inside a NutellaNutellaNutella is the brand name of a chocolate spread. Nutella, manufactured by the Italian company Ferrero, was introduced on the market in 1963. The recipe was developed from an earlier Ferrero spread released in 1944. Nutella is now sold in over 75 countries....
jar and safely defused by bomb disposalBomb disposalBomb disposal is the process by which hazardous explosive devices are rendered safe. Bomb disposal is an all encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated functions in the following fields:*Military:...
technicians in Porcia.
- A bomb is discovered in the supermarket 'Iperstanda' inside a Nutella
- September 2, 2002
- A child was injured when opening a bottle of soap-bubble solution in PordenonePordenonePordenone is a comune of Pordenone province of northeast Italy in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.The name comes from the Latin "Portus Naonis" meaning the port on the river Noncello - History :...
.
- A child was injured when opening a bottle of soap-bubble solution in Pordenone
- November 2002
- A woman at CordignanoCordignanoCordignano is a town and comune in the province of Treviso, Veneto, Italy....
lost a thumb and two fingers while handling a booby-trapped tube of tomato paste in her kitchen. - An unnamed woman from near VeniceVeniceVenice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
discovered an unusually heavy and hard tube of mayonnaise she had bought in a supermarket. Police discovered a primitive explosive device. - A man reported to police that an egg he had bought at a local market had been tampered with. No injuries. The Italian police found a hair and traces of saliva in adhesive tape on the egg's box and extracted a DNA sample.
- A woman at Cordignano
- December 25, 2002
- A bomb explodes outside the Duomo in CordenonsCordenonsCordenons is a comune in the Province of Pordenone in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about 90 km northwest of Trieste and about 4 km northeast of Pordenone...
.
- A bomb explodes outside the Duomo in Cordenons
2003
- March 24, 2003
- A bomb explodes when placed inside a flush toilet at the Justice building in PordenonePordenonePordenone is a comune of Pordenone province of northeast Italy in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.The name comes from the Latin "Portus Naonis" meaning the port on the river Noncello - History :...
.
- A bomb explodes when placed inside a flush toilet at the Justice building in Pordenone
- April 25, 2003
- Two girls in San Biagio di CallaltaSan Biagio di CallaltaSan Biagio di Callalta is a city in the province of Treviso, Veneto, Italy.It is the birthplace of Pierre Cardin....
were injured when they handled a booby-trapped marking pen. One nine-year-old lost three fingers and suffered injuries to her eye.
- Two girls in San Biagio di Callalta
2004
- April 2, 2004
- A bomb is discovered inside a church in PortogruaroPortogruaroPortogruaro is a town and comune in the province of Venice, Veneto, northern Italy.-History:Portogruaro was founded in 1140, when the bishop of Concordia, Gervinus, gave right to several fishermen to settle here and build a river port. A castle existed here, however, as early as the 10th century...
and safely defused by bomb disposalBomb disposalBomb disposal is the process by which hazardous explosive devices are rendered safe. Bomb disposal is an all encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated functions in the following fields:*Military:...
technicians.
- A bomb is discovered inside a church in Portogruaro
2005
- January 26, 2005
- A Kinder egg placed in the street in TrevisoTrevisoTreviso is a city and comune in Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Treviso and the municipality has 82,854 inhabitants : some 3,000 live within the Venetian walls or in the historical and monumental center, some 80,000 live in the urban center proper, while the city...
exploded when opened by passing schoolchildren. Such eggs usually contain a toy or prize. None of the children were harmed. The attack took place near the Treviso court house, and so may have been designed to taunt investigators there.
- A Kinder egg placed in the street in Treviso
- March 13, 2005
- Three children were injured when one attempted to light an electrical votive candle during Mass at the church in Motta di Livenza. The girl inserted coins and turned a handle to operate the candle when a small bomb exploded, injuring her left hand and two bystanders.
- March 16, 2005
- One Italian Unabomber style bomb was found in a small fish box in a Humanitarian supply box sent to Romania from the village of Concordia SagittariaConcordia SagittariaConcordia Sagittaria is a town and comune in the province of Venezia, Veneto, Italy.-History:The town was founded in 42 BC as Iulia Concordia by the Romans, where the Via Annia and the Via Postumia crossed each other...
. The bomb did not explode due to a low battery charge.
- One Italian Unabomber style bomb was found in a small fish box in a Humanitarian supply box sent to Romania from the village of Concordia Sagittaria
- July 9, 2005
- An unexploded bomb was found under the seat of a female's pushbikeDandy horseThe dandy-horse, also known as hobby-horse, is a human-powered vehicle that, being the first means of transport to make use of the two-wheeler principle, is regarded as the forerunner of the bicycle. The dandy horse was invented by Baron Karl Drais in Mannheim, Germany, and patented in January 1818...
in PortogruaroPortogruaroPortogruaro is a town and comune in the province of Venice, Veneto, northern Italy.-History:Portogruaro was founded in 1140, when the bishop of Concordia, Gervinus, gave right to several fishermen to settle here and build a river port. A castle existed here, however, as early as the 10th century...
, which had been left for several days in front of a train station. The bomb probably did not explode due to an electrical malfunction in the bomb's battery, caused by intense rain in the preceding days.
- An unexploded bomb was found under the seat of a female's pushbike
2006
- May 6, 2006
- Massimiliano Bozzo, a 28 year old nurse from MestreMestreMestre is a city part of the comune of Venice, in Veneto, northern Italy.The city is connected to Venice by a large rail and road bridge, called Ponte della Libertà ....
, walking with his girlfriend near the mouth of the river Livenza, found a bottle apparently containing a message. The bottle also contained an explosive device which exploded damaging his left hand, with consequent loss of his thumb.
- Massimiliano Bozzo, a 28 year old nurse from Mestre
External links
- Italian 'Unabomber' strikes again BBC News
- Italian bomber suspect held after 12 years Telegraph
- Breakthrough in hunt for household trap terrorist The Scotsman
- Nurse maimed by Italy's Unabomber Telegraph
- Tomato puree bomb blows off woman's fingers Telegraph