He had been considered a fugitive since December 14th. Italian was convicted of crimes in the 1970s
Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini celebrated the arrest of Cesare Battisti. Accused of terrorism, the Italian was arrested on Saturday night (12) in Santa Cruz de La Sierra, Bolivia. The arrest was made by Bolivian police. The information was confirmed by the Brazilian Federal Police.
No details have yet been given about the arrest, nor about the next steps in the Italian's extradition. But it was enough to create an uproar in Italian newspaper and television newsrooms, and in political circles, this Sunday.
On social media, Salvini praised the performance of the police involved. “I thank the Italian and foreign police, the Polizia di Stato (Italian police), Interpol, AISE (Agencia Informazione e Sicurezza Esterna – Italy's foreign intelligence service) and all those who worked for the capture of Cesare Battisti, a criminal who does not deserve a comfortable life on the beach, for his hard work, but to end his days in jail”, he published. He also thanked President Jair Bolsonaro for his efforts in extraditing Battisti.
Battisti had been considered a fugitive since December 14th, when then-president Michel Temer signed the Italian's extradition decree.
Corriere Della Sera highlights terrorist arrest
The Italian's arrest was ordered by Minister Luiz Fux, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) on December 13.
Cesare Battisti was sentenced to life in prison in 1993 on charges of having committed four murders in Italy in the 1970s.
Escape from Italy and arrest in Rio
He fled Italy, lived in France and arrived in Brazil in 2004. He was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in March 2007 and, two years later, the then Minister of Justice, Tarso Genro, granted him refuge.
In 2007, Italy requested his extradition and, at the end of 2009, the STF judged the request valid, but left the final word to the President of the Republic. At the time, then-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva denied extradition.
In the past, the Italian government asked President Michel Temer that Brazil review the decision on Battisti, and last month the Attorney General's Office (PGR) asked the Supreme Court to give priority to the trial that could result in extradition.
Battisti denies involvement in the murders and says he is a victim of political persecution.
With information from Agência Globo
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