Red Brigades Member, 74, Abseils From Balcony to Evade Argentinian Extradition

A 74-year-old former member of Italy's Red Brigades Marxist guerrilla group, Leonardo Bertulazzi, has escaped house arrest in Buenos Aires, just days before he was due to be extradited to Italy. Authorities report that Mr Bertulazzi abseiled from his fifth-floor apartment balcony, using a rope to descend to the street below.

Mr Bertulazzi, who had been under house arrest since 2021, was wanted in Italy for a 1978 kidnapping. His escape marks a significant security failure, particularly given the imminent extradition order. Italian judicial sources had been pushing for his return to face charges relating to the abduction of a prominent industrialist during the so-called 'Years of Lead' – a period of intense political violence and terrorism in Italy.

The Argentinian government had approved the extradition in late 2023, following a protracted legal battle. Mr Bertulazzi's sudden disappearance has initiated a nationwide manhunt and will undoubtedly raise questions about the efficacy of house arrest monitoring for high-profile individuals facing serious charges. His ability to execute such an escape at his age has also become a point of considerable discussion.