Nicaragua has broken diplomatic relations with Italy following its refusal to extradite Alessio Casimirri, convicted for the 1978 kidnapping and murder of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro.
The dispute escalated after Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani criticized Nicaragua for granting citizenship to Casimirri, while Nicaragua’s constitution prohibits extradition of its own citizens.
Nicaragua has cut diplomatic ties with Italy in a dispute over its refusal to extradite a man convicted in the 1978 kidnapping and murder of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro.
Related coverage: Children forced into brutal gang life as Haiti’s armed groups expand control.
Nicaragua’s Foreign Ministry announced the decision on Thursday, saying the diplomatic rupture was in response to comments by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
Tajani had criticised the Central American country for harbouring and giving citizenship to Alessio Casimirri, a former member of the far-left Red Brigades, who was found guilty of Moro’s killing.
More context: Widespread outrage in Venezuela as government faces criticism for earthquake relief efforts.
Speaking at a summit for the European People’s Party (EPP) in the Spanish capital Madrid, Tajani said Italy had nothing in common “with the vision of extremist governments such as that of Nicaragua, a country that still provides protection to dangerous terrorists”, citing Casimirri.
Moro was kidnapped by the Red Brigades in March 1978. The armed group demanded the release of jailed members in exchange for his freedom, but he was found dead in the boot of a car in Rome about two months later.
Also read: Fatal shooting of Colombian man by ICE agent in Maine raises concerns over enforcement practices.
Casimirri has lived in Nicaragua for decades, and Italy has repeatedly called for his extradition. But Nicaragua’s constitution bars it from extraditing its own citizens.
Tajani said in a statement that Italy would continue calling for Casimirri’s extradition.
Background: Weeks without water in Puerto Rico strain residents and businesses amid ongoing crisis.
“Italy will continue to demand that Casimirri answer to the Italian justice system for the crimes of which he has been found guilty, as has already been requested in a European Parliament resolution,” Tajani said.
“Italy will continue to resolutely defend this demand, out of respect for the memory of the victims of terrorism and the principles of justice.”
Related coverage:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.