Brazil blocks extradition of murderer

ROME, June 9 (UPI) -- Italy says it will appeal to the International Court of Justice at The Hague a decision preventing the extradition of a man convicted of four killings.

Brazil's Supreme Court voted 6-3 to stop the extradition of Italian fugitive Cesare Battisti, who was convicted in his absence of four slayings in the 1970s, Agencia Giornalistica Italia reported.

Battisti has been in custody in Brazil, but he was freed Thursday, after the court issued its ruling.

Italy said it is ready to "immediately expedite any further mechanism" to return Battisti to Italy.

Battisti, a former far-left fighter in Italy, was sentenced to four life terms for the murders nearly four decades ago.

Battisti says he is innocent of the charges.