Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 16
Nicaragua Severs Ties With Italy Over 1978 Moro Murder Extradition Dispute
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 16

Nicaragua Severs Ties With Italy Over 1978 Moro Murder Extradition Dispute

3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 16

Summary

  • Nicaragua on Thursday broke diplomatic relations with Italy after Rome renewed pressure to extradite Alessio Casimirri, convicted in the 1978 kidnapping and murder of former Prime Minister Aldo Moro.
  • Antonio Tajani triggered the rupture by accusing Nicaragua at a Madrid summit of protecting a “dangerous terrorist” and granting citizenship to Casimirri, a former Red Brigades member.
  • Casimirri has lived in Nicaragua for decades, and Managua says its constitution bars extradition of its own citizens, blocking repeated Italian requests.
  • Italy said it will keep demanding Casimirri face Italian justice, framing the case as a matter of respect for terrorism victims and the rule of law.

Insights

Why would a country risk severing ties with Italy to protect one convicted fugitive from the 1970s?
Can a nation's constitution permanently shield a prime minister's convicted killer from facing international justice?