Former Red Brigades Member Bertulazzi Escapes House Arrest in Buenos Aires
Convicted terrorist flees custody in Argentina just before his scheduled extradition to Italy.
1Fugitive Escapes House Arrest
Leonardo Bertulazzi, a 74-year-old former member of the Red Brigades, has escaped from house arrest in central Buenos Aires. Argentine authorities have issued an urgent national manhunt alert after he vanished from his residence. His lawyer confirmed the disappearance, which occurred shortly after legal avenues to block his extradition were exhausted.
2Imminent Extradition Process Halted
The escape occurred just as the legal process for his transfer to Italy reached its final stage. The Argentine Supreme Court had approved his extradition in July 2025, and his lawyer, Rodolfo Yanzon, had recently seen his final appeal rejected. Interpol was reportedly prepared to take custody of him for immediate transport.
3Criminal History and Convictions
Bertulazzi was definitively sentenced to 27 years in prison for armed insurrection and the 1977 kidnapping of Genoese businessman Pietro Costa. During the 1970s, he was a key figure in the Red Brigades' Genoa column. He had remained a fugitive for 44 years before his initial arrest in Argentina in 2024.
4Funding the Moro Kidnapping
The ransom paid for Pietro Costa’s release, totaling one billion lire, played a dark role in Italian history. The Red Brigades used these funds to purchase the apartment on Via Montalcini in Rome. This specific location later served as the prison where the group held and eventually murdered politician Aldo Moro.
5Decades of Legal Maneuvering
Bertulazzi’s legal battle spanned decades, beginning with an arrest in 2002. At that time, an Argentine court released him because the country did not permit extradition for individuals convicted in absentia. He subsequently lived in South America as a political refugee until Argentina revoked that status in 2024.
6Failed Surveillance Measures
Despite being under house arrest with an electronic monitoring bracelet, Bertulazzi managed to evade his guards. He was supposed to be under 24-hour surveillance by a Federal Police patrol. His release from prison to home confinement in August 2025 had been granted due to his advanced age and health issues.
7Geopolitical Legal Challenges
The case highlights the complexities of international extradition involving historical terrorism cases. Argentina’s shift in policy, moving from granting refugee status to approving extradition, reflects changing judicial priorities. The recent revocation of his refugee status was the critical turning point that finally paved the way for his potential return to Italy.
8Current Security Implications
The disappearance of such a high-profile figure creates a significant diplomatic and security challenge for both nations. With the national manhunt underway, authorities are focused on preventing him from crossing borders. The incident underscores the persistent difficulty in bringing long-term fugitives to justice after decades of living in exile.
Original article: Open — Former Red Brigades Member Bertulazzi Escapes House Arrest in Buenos Aires