(ANSA) - Milan, October 11 - Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano
expressed faith in the Brazilian authorities on Thursday amid
reports that President Michel Temer has decided to revoke former
Italian leftist terrorist Cesare Battisti's status as a
political refugee.
Battisti is reportedly set to be extradited to Italy to serve
two life terms for four 1970s murders unless his lawyers'
petition to the supreme court for him to be granted habeas
corpus is successful.
"At the moment we must only express respect for the decisions
of the Brazilian president and for his evaluations, which we
await with great confidence," Alfano said.
"We have done a great job but the fewer declarations you make
at times like this, the more likely you are to achieve your
aim".
Battisti was arrested last week in Corumba', on the border
between Brazil and Bolivia.
The alleged would-be escape was launched after reports that
the Brazilian government is moving towards extraditing Battisti
for the murders committed in the 1970s 'Years of Lead' of
rightist and leftist terror.
Battisti, who was provisionally released at the weekend, said
Tuesday he had not been trying to flee Brazil when he was picked
up in a taxi heading for Bolivia, saying he had no reason to do
so because he is still protected from extradition by former
president Lula's 2010 decree.
Alfano confidence in Brazil on Battisti (3)
Foreign minister says Italy has done a 'great job' on case