French court backs extradition of Italian ex-revolutionary

A Paris court has backed the extradition to Italy of a far-left urban guerrilla sentenced to life in prison in Italy for his involvement in four murders in the 1970s. Cesare Battisti, who belonged to the Red Brigades group once feared in Italy for its political killings and kidnappings, is set to appeal the ruling. The successful crime writer has been living openly in France since 1990 after renouncing terror. He was one of several dozen former Far-Left Italian guerillas who accepted an offer of sanctuary by the late president, Francois Mitterrand, on condition they renounced their past, did not go into hiding and kept completely out of politics.

The European Arrest Warrant (EAW), designed to speed up the extradition of criminal suspects within the EU, was not applicable in Battisti's case as it covers offences that have taken place after 1993.

In 1991, an Italian request for his extradition request had failed. But the climate has now changed. Some commentators believe France is now concerned it could appear "soft on terror". In March 2004, following the Madrid terrorist attacks, EU leaders renewed their commitment to fight against terrorism. Italian Justice Minister Roberto Castelli welcomed the ruling as an "enormous victory sending out an important message to all delinquents and terrorists".

The Court decision was released two days ahead of a Franco-Italian summit. French President Jacques Chirac and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will meet on 2 July for their first bilateral summit in 18 months. The Basttisti issue is not likely to be raised at the summit, which is expected to focus on European issues and illegal immigration.