Nicaragua severs diplomatic ties with Italy over 1978 murder case
Nicaragua has severed diplomatic relations with Italy over the country's refusal to extradite Alessio Casimirri, a former Red Brigades member convicted in the 1978 murder of Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro. The rupture followed Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani's criticism of Nicaragua for harbouring Casimirri, whom Italy considers a dangerous terrorist.
Diplomatic tensions between Nicaragua and Italy have escalated into a formal break following a dispute over the extradition of a convicted murderer. At the centre of the conflict is Alessio Casimirri, a former member of the far-left Red Brigades militant group, who was found guilty in connection with the 1978 kidnapping and death of Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro. Casimirri has resided in Nicaragua for decades and was granted citizenship by the country, complicating Italy's repeated extradition requests.
The immediate trigger for Nicaragua's diplomatic rupture was a statement by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, delivered at a European People's Party summit in Madrid. Tajani characterised Nicaragua as an extremist government that provides sanctuary to dangerous terrorists, specifically referencing Casimirri's presence there. He reiterated Italy's position that Casimirri must face the Italian justice system for his convictions.
Nicaragua's constitutional framework presents a legal obstacle to Italy's demands. The country's constitution prohibits the extradition of its own citizens, a position Nicaragua's Foreign Ministry cited when announcing the diplomatic severance on Thursday. Despite this constitutional barrier, Italy has signalled its intention to continue pressing for Casimirri's extradition, citing respect for terrorism victims and principles of justice.
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