Former member of Italian Red Brigades arrested in Argentina

Aug. 29 () –

Argentine security forces have arrested a former member of the Red Brigades, Leonardo Bertulazzi, who was sentenced in Italy to 27 years for terrorism, after the authorities in the South American country had withdrawn his refugee status.

Bertulazzi is accused of kidnapping, criminal association and possession and use of weapons of war for his role in the Red Brigades, a left-wing group that concentrated its activity in the so-called Years of Lead of the 20th century and whose victims included former Prime Minister Aldo Moro, kidnapped and murdered in 1978.

The Argentine Ministry of Security, which confirmed the arrest in Buenos Aires, said in a statement that “Bertulazzi is responsible for crimes that attacked democratic values ​​and the lives of many victims.” Several Argentine and Italian agencies collaborated in the operation.

Bertulazzi arrived in Argentina in 2002 and two years later obtained protection from the National Refugee Commission, which has now been “lifted”, as official sources explained to the newspaper ‘La Nación’. At the time of his arrest, he was carrying his brother’s passport.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed her “deep gratitude” to the Argentine authorities and stressed that the arrest was made possible thanks to an “intense and fruitful” collaboration between the two countries, as well as with the Interpol agency.