Nicaragua breaks diplomatic relations with Italy in terror case standoff

Nicaragua has severed diplomatic relations with Italy following a dispute over the Central American country's refusal to extradite a former member of the Red Brigades convicted in the 1978 kidnapping and murder of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro.

Nicaragua's Foreign Ministry announced the decision on July 16, saying it was responding to remarks by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who accused the country of sheltering convicted terrorist Alessio Casimirri, as reported by Italian media.

Speaking at a summit of the European People's Party (EPP) in Madrid, Tajani criticized Nicaragua for granting citizenship to Casimirri and refusing Italy's repeated requests for his extradition.

"Italy has nothing in common with the vision of extremist governments such as that of Nicaragua, a country that still provides protection to dangerous terrorists."

Casimirri, a former member of the far-left militant group Red Brigades, was convicted in Italy for his role in the kidnapping and murder of Moro, one of the country's most prominent political assassinations.

The Red Brigades abducted Moro in March 1978 and demanded the release of imprisoned members in exchange for his freedom. After 55 days in captivity, Moro was found dead in the boot of a car in central Rome.

Casimirri has lived in Nicaragua for decades after fleeing Italy and was later granted Nicaraguan citizenship. Successive Italian governments have sought his extradition, but Nicaragua has refused, citing a constitutional prohibition on extraditing its own citizens.

Following Nicaragua's decision to cut diplomatic ties, Tajani said Italy would continue pursuing Casimirri's extradition.

"Italy will continue to demand that Casimirri answer to the Italian justice system for the crimes of which he has been found guilty, as has already been requested in a European Parliament resolution," the Italian FM pledged.

By Nazrin Sadigova