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Italy recalls envoy in Brazil row | Italy recalls envoy in Brazil row |
(4 days later) | |
Italy has recalled its ambassador to Brazil amid an escalating row after the Brazilian government refused to extradite a convicted murderer. | Italy has recalled its ambassador to Brazil amid an escalating row after the Brazilian government refused to extradite a convicted murderer. |
Cesare Battisti is a former member of an armed group involved in a series of killings in the 1970s. | Cesare Battisti is a former member of an armed group involved in a series of killings in the 1970s. |
Brazilian officials suggested Battisti's life could be at risk if he returned home, a claim that has infuriated the authorities in Rome. | Brazilian officials suggested Battisti's life could be at risk if he returned home, a claim that has infuriated the authorities in Rome. |
Italy says its ambassador has been called back "for consultations". | Italy says its ambassador has been called back "for consultations". |
Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981, while awaiting trial for his role in the murders of a police officer, a prison guard, a butcher and a jeweller. | Battisti escaped from an Italian prison in 1981, while awaiting trial for his role in the murders of a police officer, a prison guard, a butcher and a jeweller. |
'Political persecution' | 'Political persecution' |
He was convicted in absentia by an Italian court and sentenced to life in prison. | He was convicted in absentia by an Italian court and sentenced to life in prison. |
In the 1970s, he was a member of a militant group calling itself Armed Proletarians for Communism. | In the 1970s, he was a member of a militant group calling itself Armed Proletarians for Communism. |
Battisti is a terrorist, he assassinated innocent people... we do want to have him back in Rome Franco FrattiniItalian foreign minister | Battisti is a terrorist, he assassinated innocent people... we do want to have him back in Rome Franco FrattiniItalian foreign minister |
He went to France where he spent many years working as a thriller writer. He has repeatedly denied any involvement in the killings. | He went to France where he spent many years working as a thriller writer. He has repeatedly denied any involvement in the killings. |
Two weeks ago he was granted political refugee status by Brazil. | Two weeks ago he was granted political refugee status by Brazil. |
The Italians asked for him to be extradited, a request that was turned down. The Brazilians suggested that Battisti was a victim of political persecution. | The Italians asked for him to be extradited, a request that was turned down. The Brazilians suggested that Battisti was a victim of political persecution. |
Recalling its ambassador for "consultations" is diplomatic language designed to mask the real extent of Italian anger, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome. | Recalling its ambassador for "consultations" is diplomatic language designed to mask the real extent of Italian anger, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome. |
There have been calls by some politicians for a boycott of Brazilian goods and to cancel holidays there, our correspondent adds. | There have been calls by some politicians for a boycott of Brazilian goods and to cancel holidays there, our correspondent adds. |
Human rights | Human rights |
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said: "Battisti is a terrorist, he assassinated innocent people, he has been condemned by the Italian court and so we do want to have him back in Rome." | |
Mr Frattini said it was not acceptable for Brazil to treat Italy as a country where human rights are not respected. | Mr Frattini said it was not acceptable for Brazil to treat Italy as a country where human rights are not respected. |
He added that all legal opportunities were being explored, including going before the Supreme Court of Brazil for a different decision. | He added that all legal opportunities were being explored, including going before the Supreme Court of Brazil for a different decision. |
The Brazilian foreign ministry says Italy's recall "will not affect diplomatic ties", AFP news agency reported. | The Brazilian foreign ministry says Italy's recall "will not affect diplomatic ties", AFP news agency reported. |
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