Ex-member of radical Marxist group scales balcony, escapes house arrest in Argentina

A 74-year-old former member of the Red Brigades, a radical Marxist group from Italy, has escaped from house arrest in Argentina. The individual, identified as Leonardo Bertulazzi, was detained in Buenos Aires in 2024 while awaiting extradition to Italy, where he faced a 27-year prison sentence. Argentine security authorities confirmed the escape on Wednesday, noting that Bertulazzi managed to flee his residence by scaling a balcony. Reports indicate that he utilized a harness to abseil down from the structure, allowing him to bypass the custody measures that had been in place for several years.

The incident highlights the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining secure detention for high-profile political figures awaiting international transfer. While the Argentine security ministry officially acknowledged the breach of house arrest, details regarding the specific mechanics of the escape vary slightly in emphasis between reports, with some sources focusing on the use of a harness and others describing the act as abseiling. Regardless of the specific terminology used to describe the descent, both sources agree that Bertulazzi successfully evaded capture from his designated location in Buenos Aires. He is now considered a fugitive, having fled just as his transfer to Italy to serve his lengthy sentence was imminent. No further information has been provided regarding his current whereabouts or the immediate response of law enforcement following the escape.

Compiled from: The Guardian · BBC News

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