Court of Appeal Acquits Raul Esteban Calderon in High-Profile Murder Case

The Court of Appeal in Rome has made a significant ruling, acquitting Raul Esteban Calderon of the charges related to the murder of Fabrizio Piscitelli, infamously known as Diabolik, in 2019. Piscitelli was a notorious figure in Rome's crime scene, having led the Lazio ultras and engaged in various illicit activities. This new decision reverses an earlier verdict from March 2025, in which Calderon was handed a life sentence, found guilty as the material executor of Piscitelli's murder. The Court of Appeal determined that there was insufficient evidence to uphold Calderon’s conviction. Notably, the murder weapon had never been located, and crucial evidence—a security camera video of the incident—was ruled inadmissible in court. The assassination of Fabrizio Piscitelli took place on August 7, 2019, while he was seated on a bench in the Parco degli Acquedotti, located in the Appio Claudio district of Rome. Reports indicate that the assailant approached Piscitelli under the guise of a jogger, before shooting him in the head. Prosecutors argue that the motive behind the killing was linked to a turf war over the lucrative illegal drug trade in Rome, which is noted as the largest of its kind in Italy. Piscitelli was known to operate within this market alongside his associate, Fabrizio Fabietti. Despite the acquittal, the investigation into the masterminds behind the murder remains unresolved, with authorities continuing their efforts to bring those responsible to justice. Calderon, often referred to as Francisco, has a lengthy criminal history. In another trial in 2024, he was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 38-year-old Albanian Selavdi Shehaj, which occurred on the beach of Torvajanica near Rome on September 20, 2020. This conviction highlights Calderon’s ongoing entanglement with violent crime, despite his recent appeal victory. The case presents a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding organized crime and the legal proceedings that ensue. As investigators strive to uncover the identities of the masterminds behind Piscitelli's murder, the atmosphere in Rome's illegal drug trade remains tense and tumultuous. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2