Italy Seeks Extradition Of Former Prime Minister

Italy has asked Tunisia to extradite Bettino Craxi, the former Italian prime minister facing corruption charges at home, Italy’s ambassador said Friday.

The 61-year-old Craxi, citing health reasons, has refused to leave Tunisia, where he has holed up in a Mediterranean seaside villa in Hamamet since fleeing Italy in 1993.

Francesco Carruso, the Italian ambassador, said he expected a response from Tunisia “in a few days.” Craxi will be required to go before a Tunisian court to respond to the extradition request, he said.

Craxi faces two international arrest warrants, the latest filed this month. He has been investigated in a dozen scandals involving corruption and illicit financing of his Socialist party, and was sentenced last year in absentia in two corruption trials.