Dep. Arlindo Chinaglia

 The President of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, Arlindo Chinaglia, sent a letter to the President of the Chamber of Italy, Gianfranco Fini, replying to his message, in which the later criticized the asylum granted by the Brazilian government to the Italian Cesare Battisti. Fini, in his letter, also asked for the support of the Brazilian congressman for the extradition of Battisti.

A former member of a left group, Battisti was condemned for four murders in the 70es. Incarcerated in Brasília, he will be released and will be allowed to live in Brazil, if his condition as a political refugee is confirmed.

Chinaglia released the letter of Gianfranco Fini to Brazilian parties’ leaders, and also informed the Ministry of Justice, who is responsible for the asylum to Battisti, about it.

Sovereignty
The president of the Chamber told Gianfranco Fini that the position of the Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, on the subject had already been public when the letter was released. Da Silva considered the asylum an issue of Brazilian sovereignty.

Chinaglia also informed the Italian congressman that “what the Chamber can and will do, in addition to the natural debate the subject raises, is to maintain a dialogue, so that the friendship between the two countries contributes to a result, which is the closest possible to what each country thinks is adequate.”

Report - Alexandre Pôrto/Rádio Câmara
Editing - Newton Araújo/Rejane Xavier
Translation - Positive Idiomas Ltda