Argentina grants the extradition of former Br Bertulazzi: arrested
The decision by the Milei government will bring back to Italy the fugitive sentenced to 27 years for the kidnapping of shipowner Pietro Costa in 1977
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Argentina's Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the extradition to Italy of former Br Leonardo Bertulazzi, who has been under arrest in Buenos Aires since 29 August 2024 on the basis of the Javier Milei government's decision to revoke his refugee status. He was then released from prison in November. Bertulazzi had already been arrested in 2002 by the Buenos Aires State Police, following a complex investigation conducted by the men of the Central Directorate of Prevention Police, together with policemen of the Genoa Digos and Interpol, and was released a few months later.
The ruling by Argentina's highest court thus upholds the favourable opinion expressed by the Public Prosecutor, Eduardo Casal, who considered 'unfounded' the reasons expressed by the Defence in its appeal against an initial ruling in favour of extradition by the Federal Justice.
However, the Supreme Court specifies in its ruling that the decision on extradition does not concern the appeal filed by the former Br against the revocation of his refugee status. The extradition request against Bertulazzi, who has been a fugitive since 1980, is based on a 27-year sentence for the kidnapping of the armor Pietro Costa in 1977 and armed gang.
After the Argentinean Supreme Court's ruling granting the Italian authorities' extradition request, defence lawyer Rodolfo Yanzon reported that 'the police proceeded with his immediate arrest for the purpose of extradition despite the fact that an appeal on the recognition of refugee status is pending'.
