Tajani stands firm as Nicaragua moves to break off ties

Rome refuses to back down over its demand for the extradition of Red Brigades fugitive Alessio Casimirri, after Nicaragua reacted furiously to being branded “extremist”.

Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stood his ground on Thursday after Nicaragua signalled its intention to sever diplomatic relations with Italy, following his sharp criticism of the Central American country for continuing to shelter convicted Red Brigades terrorist Alessio Casimirri.

Casimirri, part of the gang responsible for the 1978 kidnapping and murder of former Italian premier Aldo Moro and the killing of his security escort, has lived in Nicaragua for decades, beyond the reach of Italian justice.

“Italy will continue to demand” extradition

In a statement issued by the foreign ministry, Tajani made clear that Rome had no intention of dropping its long-standing demand for 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,” he said.

“Italy will continue to resolutely defend this demand, out of respect for the memory of the victims of terrorism and the principles of justice.”

The row was triggered by remarks Tajani made on Wednesday at a forum in Madrid marking the 50th anniversary of the European People’s Party (EPP). Speaking there, he said Italy shared nothing with the vision of extremist governments such as Nicaragua’s, a country he said continues to provide protection to dangerous Red Brigades terrorists like Casimirri.

The comments did not go unanswered. ANSA sources confirmed a report in Corriere della Sera that Nicaragua’s government now intends to break off diplomatic relations with Italy, after Tajani’s description of the country as “extremist”. According to the reports, the Italian Embassy in Managua received a formal letter of protest from the Nicaraguan government overnight, with Rome’s foreign ministry subsequently briefed on the development.

An open wound

The Moro killing remains one of the most traumatic episodes in Italy’s post-war history, and the continued impunity enjoyed by figures such as Casimirri has long been a point of frustration for Rome. Tajani’s remarks, and Nicaragua’s furious response, suggest the case is unlikely to fade from the diplomatic agenda between the two countries any time soon.