Battisti case overshadows Berlusconi visit

On March 9, Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, arrives in Brasília. It is expected that by the time he lands a decision will have been reached on whether Cesare Battisti is a common criminal or a political prisoner. And that decision will determine Battisti’s future.

If president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva decides he is a common criminal who murdered four people in the 1970s, he will be sent back to Italy to serve out a life sentence and Berlusconi will be pleased.

If Lula decides Battisti acted against (in the 1970s) and fled from (in the 1980s) a repressive, undemocratic Italian government in an effort to make the world a better place, then Battisti will be allowed to remain in Brazil with refugee status and Berlusconi will be disappointed.

However, even if Lula decides to allow Battisti to remain in Brazil, it is almost certain the case will once again return to the Brazilian Supreme Court because in doing so Lula will breach an extradition treaty with Italy (this treaty dates from 1989).