Italy approves extradition of priest charged with murder and torture during Argentina dictatorship

By FRANCES D’EMILIO
Associated Press

ROME (AP) — Italy’s justice minister has approved extraditing an Italian priest sought by Argentina on charges of murder and torture during that country’s last military dictatorship. But a lawyer and rights groups say the priest has an appeal in Italian courts seeking to block extradition. Attorney Arturo Salerni, who represents Argentina, tells The Associated Press that Justice Minister Carlo Nordio on Wednesday signed off on the request to extradite the Rev. Franco Reverberi, an 85-year-old priest who served as military chaplain during Argentina’s 1976-1983 military dictatorship. However, according to an Italian human rights group monitoring the case, Reverberi is appealing his extradition to Italy’s top criminal court and a ruling isn’t expected for several weeks.