Italian Red Brigades fugitive vanishes from Argentine house arrest

Bertulazzi climbed down a fifth-floor apartment using a rope and harness to evade authorities in Argentina.

Published On 12 Nov 202612 Nov 2026

A 74-year-old former member of Italy’s far‑left Red Brigades escaped house arrest in Argentina by descending a fifth‑floor apartment with a rope and harness, prompting a nationwide manhunt.

Leonardo Bertulazzi, who faces extradition to Italy to serve a 27‑year prison sentence, escaped on Tuesday and remained at large on Wednesday, Argentine police told The Associated Press.

Bertulazzi was convicted in absentia in Italy for his role in the kidnapping and murder of former Prime Minister Aldo Moro by the leftist militant group, and his refugee status in Argentina was revoked under President Javier Milei.

Police said he descended onto the second‑floor terrace of a neighbouring house, moved down to a first‑floor terrace, crossed a vacant lot and climbed over a gate onto the street.

Authorities did not notice his disappearance immediately because he had tampered with his electronic ankle monitor. Officials said he concealed the device inside a thermal blanket containing grease or animal fat to preserve its temperature and prevent moisture loss.

Explosives specialists examined the device, which was fashioned to resemble an explosive.

Argentina’s Security Ministry has offered a reward of 20 million pesos (about $13 000) for information leading to his capture.

‘Years of Lead’

The Red Brigades were a far‑left armed group responsible for a wave of kidnappings and killings in Italy during the 1970s and 1980s, a period known as the “Years of Lead”.

The group kidnapped and killed former Prime Minister Aldo Moro in 1978. Argentine authorities have said Bertulazzi, a member of the Genoa branch, was involved in logistics for Moro’s abduction.

Italian courts convicted him in the 1980s of terrorism‑related offences, resulting in a combined 27‑year sentence, according to Argentine court records.

He was first arrested in Buenos Aires in November 2002, but an Argentine judge rejected Italy’s extradition request in 2003 because Italian law did not guarantee him a new trial after a conviction in absentia. He was granted refugee status in 2004.

Argentina revoked his refugee status in 2024 under President Milei and re‑arrested him that August. The Argentine Supreme Court approved his extradition the following year.

Wanda Ferro, an undersecretary at Italy’s Interior Ministry, said Argentine police were responsible for ensuring his handover. “I am certain that every effort will be made,” she told local television, adding that she hoped the extradition could take place “very quickly” if Bertulazzi is recaptured.

Source link