Gianfranco Mattei killed himself in Nazi custody rather than betray partisans.

Evidence

Her brother Gianfranco Mattei, a twenty-seven-year-old chemistry professor and member of the anti-Fascist resistance, was captured on February 1, 1944, while building bombs to be used in the fight against the Nazi occupation. After a few days of continuous torture, Gianfranco hanged himself with his belt rather than betray his comrades. The last words of my great-uncle, written on the back of a check secretly handed to his cellmate, were for his parents: “Be strong, knowing that I have been strong too.” — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism, 49

Categorization

• SHARE: For anyone moved by Resistance stories or the history of antifascist martyrdom; the check-note detail is striking.
• ADDENDUM: Connects to the ‘On Sacrifice’ article — a martyr choosing death over betrayal, with a final message to family.
• XREF: connects to: Teresa Mattei defied fascism, SS violence, and her own party for justice. — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism, 48

Broader Connections

• Teresa Mattei defied fascism, SS violence, and her own party for justice. #corroborates (0.80) — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism, 48