France Arrests Leftist Militants Sought by Italy

Red Brigade Member. (Flickr)

French police arrested seven former members of far-left Italian extremist group Red Brigades on April 28. Courts had convicted the individuals (and three others still at large) of terrorism from the 1960s through to the 1980s in Italy. The members had found refuge in France under a controversial policy that strained Franco-Italian relations at the time. Courts have yet to determine if French authorities can extradite the militants to Italy, and the decision may take several years depending on appeals.

In their efforts to create a leftist revolution, members of the Red Brigades carried out bank robberies and kidnappings, brought to light by their high-profile capturing and killing of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro. Amongst those detained by the French include the paramilitary group’s co-founders Lotta Continua and Giorgio Pietrostefani, the latter of whom first faced prison time for the murder of Milan’s chief of police in 1972. 

France initially granted asylum to Italian militants in the 1980s if they had renounced violence and did not have outstanding warrants in other countries, though officials ultimately granted asylum to several individuals with such warrants. Since its inception, the Italian government has fought the policy, named the Mitterrand Doctrine for France’s president at the time of enactment. Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and French President Emanuel Macron have, however, repaired their relationship due to their shared interest in furthering European integration, which has allowed for the repair of the relationship between the two countries.

The Italian government had initially called for the arrest and extradition of 200 individuals, though French prosecutors decided to focus only on those who had committed more serious crimes. This led to the arrest of the seven ex-militants, which Italy has lauded. Various members of the government have welcomed the news and look forward to cooperating with France. Benedetta Tobagi, daughter of Walter Tobagi, a reporter killed by a Red Brigades attack, appreciated the development, though, she also expressed lingering animosity vis-à-vis the Mitterand doctrine, a sentiment felt by others who knew those killed. President Macron expressed compassion for the Italians, relating France’s own rise in terrorism over the last decade which has seen more than 50 terrorist incidents.

Though courts have yet to determine whether or not to permit the militants’ extradition, the dialogue that has opened between Italy and France indicates the two countries’ improved standings with relation to one another. Should authorities opt against extradition, however, these relations would soon sour and engender a tense standoff. Nevertheless, Italy remains hopeful that it may be able to seek closure after many long decades of ambiguity.