Lula sparks diplomatic spat with Italy over refusal to extradite killer

[Judi Lynn]

Lula sparks diplomatic spat with Italy over refusal to extradite killer
Silvio Berlusconi says Brazilian president's departing decision on Cesare Battisti issue is 'contrary to justice'
John Hooper in Rome and Tom Phillips guardian.co.uk,
Friday 31 December 2010 18.54 GMT

Brazil's outgoing president ignited a vicious diplomatic row on his last day in office today after refusing to extradite a former leftwing terrorist to Italy.

A day before stepping down, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva finally signed off on the decision not to extradite Cesare Battisti, an Italian thriller writer who was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in March 2007 and is wanted in Italy for four murders.

Lula's move triggered a rare crisis in relations between two countries with strong historical and commercial links. Italy announced it was temporarily withdrawing its ambassador and criticism rained in from both sides of the political spectrum.

Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, expressed "profound bitterness and regret" and vowed to "fight on" against a ruling that was "contrary to the most elementary sense of justice".

More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/31/brazil-lula-berlusconi-battisti-italy

[Judi Lynn]

1. From 2009:Rome urges Brazil to reverse Battisti's refugee status

Latest update: 14/01/2009 - Brazil - Italy
Rome urges Brazil to reverse Battisti's refugee status

REUTERS - The Italian foreign ministry Wednesday urged Brazilian President Lula da Silva to reconsider Brazil's decision to grant political refugee status to former far-left activist Cesare Battisti.

"Italy addresses an appeal to President Lula that all initiatives be taken towards ... a review of the judicial decision adopted," the ministry said in a communique. The statement expressed "great surprise and deep regret" over the decision Tuesday, calling Battisti, 54, a "terrorist responsible for very serious crimes that have nothing to do with political refugee status."

Brazilian Justice Minister Tarso Genro justified the decision by a "well-founded fear" that Battisti would be persecuted for his political opinions.

Italy had sought the extradition of Battisti, who was convicted in absentia in 1993 for four murders during the 1970s when he was part of the Movement of Armed Proletarians for Communism (PAC). He has denied any wrongdoing.

The Domus Civitas association of victims of terrorism and organised crime also denounced the decision, saying: "We have seen the victory of terrorism in our country ... of humiliation for the victims and disdain (expressed) towards them."

More:
http://www.france24.com/en/20090114-rome-asks-brazil-reverse-battisti-refugee-status-italy-left-wing-activism

Looks as if this has been an issue for Berlusconi for quite a while.

[CJvR]

2. If...

...your political opinions includes murdering people you don't like you deserve to be persecuted to the full extent of the law.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

3. The charges include two murders that happened within minutes, 200 km apart.

Just saying.

[social_critic]

4. Bombs with timers?

I'd like to know the details - did he use bombs with timers?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

5. No. murder-murder, as in pulling the trigger.

Nice try though.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Miami is famous for it's overruse of C-4 against people with the "wrong" politics. n/t