Nicaragua has severed ties with Italy over the 1978 massacre Historical Background

The dispute follows Italy’s demand that Nicaragua extradite a man convicted of murdering the prime minister.

Nicaragua has severed ties with Italy over a dispute over its refusal to extradite a man convicted of kidnapping and murdering former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro in 1978.

NicaraguaThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the decision on Thursday, saying that the ambassador’s disruption was in response to comments made by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

Tajani criticized the Central American country for harboring and granting citizenship to Alessio Casimirri, a former member of the leftist Red Brigades, who was found guilty of killing Moro.

Speaking at the meeting of the European People’s Party (EPP) in the capital of Spain in Madrid, Tajani said that Italy has nothing in common “with the vision of brutal governments like that of Nicaragua, a country that still provides protection to dangerous terrorists”, citing Casimirri.

Moro was abducted by the Red Brigades in March 1978. The armed group demanded the release of the imprisoned members in exchange for his freedom, but he was found dead in the boot of a car in Rome almost two months later.

Casimirri has lived in Nicaragua for years, and Italy has repeatedly called for his return. But the law of Nicaragua prohibits the expropriation of its citizens.

Tajani said in a statement that Italy will continue to call for Casimirri’s extradition.

“Italy will continue to demand that Casimirri answer to the Italian court for the crimes for which he was found guilty, as was already requested in the decision of the European Parliament,” Tajani said.

“Italy will continue to defend this, respecting the memory of the victims of terrorism and the principles of justice.”