Leonardo Bertulazzi, a 74-year-old former member of Italy’s far-left militant group, the Red Brigades, has escaped from house arrest in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Police officials stated that Bertulazzi fled on Tuesday by using a harness and rope to descend from his fifth-floor apartment. He reportedly reached the street by climbing onto neighboring terraces, crossing a vacant lot, and scaling a gate.
Authorities did not immediately realize that the fugitive had absconded because he had tampered with his electronic ankle monitor. According to police reports, Bertulazzi manipulated the device to keep it at a constant temperature, using a thermal blanket, grease, or animal fat to trick the system. When officers eventually inspected the apartment after noticing the monitor had remained stationary, they found the device, which had been modified to mimic the appearance of an explosive. This led police to call in explosives experts as a precaution, though they later confirmed it was not a bomb.
The Argentine Security Ministry has issued a nationwide search and offered a reward of 20 million pesos, approximately $13,000, for information regarding his whereabouts. Wanda Ferro, an undersecretary in Italy’s Interior Ministry, stated that Argentine police are responsible for his custody and expressed hope that the extradition could proceed quickly if he is apprehended.
Key facts
- Leonardo Bertulazzi was convicted in absentia in Italy for his role in kidnapping and terrorism-related crimes in the 1970s.
- He was first arrested in Argentina in 2002, granted refugee status in 2004, and re-arrested in August 2024.
- The Argentine Supreme Court had recently approved his extradition to Italy to serve a 27-year prison sentence.
- Bertulazzi belonged to the Genoa branch of the Red Brigades and was involved in the 1977 kidnapping of engineer Pietro Costa.
- Reports indicate his involvement in the logistics for the 1978 kidnapping and murder of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro.
Why it matters
Bertulazzi’s escape comes after the government of Argentine President Javier Milei revoked his refugee status in 2024, citing that his past actions undermined democratic values. His extradition was considered imminent after his final appeal was rejected, and his flight marks a significant setback in the efforts of Italian authorities to bring him to justice for his role in the violence of the “Years of Lead.”
Background
The Red Brigades were a far-left armed group active in Italy during the 1970s and 1980s, a volatile period in the country's history. The organization carried out a series of high-profile kidnappings and killings, including the abduction and murder of former Prime Minister Aldo Moro, who was held for 54 days before being killed in 1978.
Source: Al Jazeera, BBC
Comments