Italy recalls ambassador to Brazil

ROME, June 10 (UPI) -- Brazil's refusal to extradite a former Italian leftist accused of killing four people in the 1970s led Friday to the recall of Rome's ambassador to Brasilia.

The diplomatic move came in response to a Brazilian Supreme Court decision late Wednesday, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. The high court backed the government's refusal to return Cesare Battisti to Italy.

"This does not end here," Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said.

Battisti became a successful writer of mystery novels in France but fled to Brazil in 2002 to avoid extradition. Five years later President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Battisti should be allowed to remain in Brazil because he faces political persecution in Italy.

In a 2009 ruling, the Brazilian high court refused Battisti political asylum but said decisions on extradition are up to the president.

Alberto Torregiani, who was paralyzed in a 1979 attack that killed his father, has been leading an effort to mobilize public opinion in Italy. In January, the European Parliament endorsed a move by all Italian political parties calling for extradition.