Anarchist couple in Italy killed while making bomb

An Italian anarchist couple died in an explosion as they were making a bomb on the outskirts of Rome.

Sara Ardizzone and Alessandro Mercogliano were killed ahead of preparations for a protest to raise awareness on Italian anarchist leader, Alfredo Cospito. 

The couple’s involvement with the anarchist movement was known to the police. 

Cospito, now 58 years old, was jailed after attacks and parcel bombs sent to authorities. 

Italian media reported that the bomb that killed the couple was not meant to kill others, but was part of an act of protest. 

Sara Ardizzone had defended the use of violence in protest in a 2025 trial, and described herself and Alessandro Mercogliano as “partners in life and in struggle.”