---
title: "Terror convict, 74, escapes house arrest in Argentina"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/terror-convict-74-escapes-house-arrest-in-argentina"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/terror-convict-74-escapes-house-arrest-in-argentina"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/terror-convict-74-escapes-house-arrest-in-argentina.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/terror-convict-74-escapes-house-arrest-in-argentina"
category: "Politics"
published: "2026-11-11T23:05:13.881Z"
source_reported: "2026-11-11T21:42:02.000Z"
updated: "2026-11-11T23:05:13.881Z"
trust_score: 60
critic_score: 65
hype_score: 45
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-11-11T23:00:08.841751+00:00"
---

# Terror convict, 74, escapes house arrest in Argentina

*Leonardo Bertulazzi used a harness to abseil from a fifth-floor balcony to evade recapture.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to Argentine ministry of security and Italian media, with specific details from BBC report.
- Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Reporting is clear and holds together, with most outlets agreeing on key facts.
- Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use strong language like 'spectacular escape' and 'notorious member'.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Leonardo Bertulazzi, 74, escaped house arrest in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he was awaiting extradition to Italy.
- He used a harness to abseil from a fifth-floor balcony and tampered with his electronic ankle monitor to avoid detection.
- Bertulazzi was convicted of terrorism-related crimes, including the 1977 kidnapping of Italian naval engineer Pietro Costa, and was due to serve a 27-year sentence.
- A nationwide manhunt is underway for Bertulazzi, who had previously been a fugitive for decades.

Leonardo Bertulazzi, a 74-year-old Italian man convicted of terrorism-related crimes, escaped from house arrest in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He used a harness to abseil from a fifth-floor balcony of his apartment. Bertulazzi had tampered with his electronic ankle monitor, which was designed to track his movements and body temperature, to prevent it from registering his escape.

Bertulazzi was awaiting extradition to Italy to serve a 27-year prison sentence for his involvement with the Red Brigades, a far-left militant group. He had previously been a fugitive for decades after being sentenced in absentia for the 1977 kidnapping of Italian naval engineer Pietro Costa. Argentine officials became suspicious when the ankle monitor remained stationary, leading them to discover his absence.

## Disagreement on the date of escape

The BBC reported that Bertulazzi's escape occurred on Tuesday, November 10. However, Newsit.gr and Eleftherostypos also reported the escape as occurring on Tuesday, November 10, while CNN Greece stated the escape happened yesterday, Tuesday 10/11. In contrast, ANSA reported the incident as occurring on Tuesday, November 10, and Filo News reported the escape on November 11, 2026.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left, centre, or right-rated digests mention that Bertulazzi was granted refugee status in Argentina in 2004, a detail reported in the full report from BBC News. Additionally, none of the right-rated digests mention the specific detail that Bertulazzi's escape was not immediately registered because he had tampered with his electronic ankle monitor to continue transmitting body temperature measurements, as reported by BBC News.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 15 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 53% (8)
- Centre: 34% (5)
- Right: 13% (2)

41 of 56 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-11-11T23:00:08.841751+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-11-11T23:15:06.742Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports focused on Bertulazzi's escape from house arrest and his past as a member of the Red Brigades. Multiple reports highlighted his use of a harness to abseil from a fifth-floor balcony. The Seattle Times, The Independent, Associated Press News, The Independent (US), Reflector, The Hamilton Spectator, and Newser all mentioned his escape from house arrest while awaiting extradition to Italy to serve a 27-year sentence. Newser also noted his conviction in absentia for a 1977 kidnapping.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports highlighted the details of Bertulazzi's escape and his background. BBC News, which provided a full report, detailed his use of a harness to abseil from a fifth-floor balcony and his tampering with an electronic ankle monitor. They also noted his previous fugitive status for decades after a 1977 kidnapping and his impending extradition. WBAL and Winnipeg Free Press mentioned his escape from house arrest using a harness and rope. ANSA reported that Bertulazzi, a former Red Brigades leftist militant, skipped house arrest.

### Right

- Right-rated reports focused on Bertulazzi's identity as a former member of the Italian terrorist group Red Brigades and his escape from house arrest. NOS reported that the 74-year-old escaped with a rope from a fifth-floor balcony. Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer stated he escaped house arrest while awaiting extradition to Italy to serve a 27-year prison sentence.

**Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 2
- high: 8
- unknown: 41
- veryHigh: 5

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [WBAL](https://wbal.com/former-italian-red-brigades-member-escapes-house-arrest-in-argentina-while-awaiting-extradition) — Former Italian Red Brigades member escapes house arrest in Argentina w
- [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/world/former-italian-red-brigades-member-escapes-house-arrest-in-argentina-while-awaiting-extradition) — Former Italian Red Brigades member escapes house arrest in Argentina while awaiting extradition
- [NOS](https://nos.nl/artikel/2639071-lid-van-italiaanse-terreurgroep-74-ontsnapt-met-touw-van-balkon-van-vijf-hoog) — Member of Italian Terror Group (74) Escapes with Rope From Fifth-Floor Balcony
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/italian-argentina-buenos-aires-javier-milei-police-b3083456.html) — Former Italian Red Brigades member escapes house arrest in Argentina while awaiting extradition
- [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/leonardo-bertulazzi-italy-buenos-aires-arrest-manhunt-argentina-red-brigades-kidnapper-b769bcf3f7c49a8cb0aabf91ff3a119b) — Former Italian Red Brigades member escapes house arrest in Argentina while awaiting extradition
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/italian-argentina-buenos-aires-javier-milei-police-b3083456.html) — Former Italian Red Brigades member escapes house arrest in Argentina while awaiting extradition
- [Reflector](https://reflector.com/news/national/former-italian-red-brigades-member-escapes-house-arrest-in-argentina-while-awaiting-extradition/article_913cb00c-9f8b-5eeb-8cbe-f3e17f1bc995.html) — Former Italian Red Brigades member escapes house arrest in Argentina while awaiting extradition
- [Filo News](https://filo.news/noticia/2026/11/11/alerta-por-la-fuga-de-leonardo-bertulazzi-ex-brigadista-italiano-que-esperaba-su-extraditacion) — Alert for the Escape of Leonardo Bertulazzi, Former Italian Brigadier Awaiting His Extradition
- [topky.sk](https://topky.sk/cl/11/9553391/Policia-patra-po-byvalom-clenovi-Cervenych-brigad--Z-domaceho-vazenia-zmizol-za-zahadnych-okolnosti) — Police Searching for Former Red Brigades Member: He Disappeared From House Arrest Under Mysterious Circumstances
- [Newser](https://newser.com/story/399845/74-year-old-rappels-from-apartment-to-flee-house-arrest.html) — 74-Year-Old on House Arrest Reminders From Apartment
- [coastaltvnews.com](https://coastaltvnews.com/business/74-year-old-italian-ex-marxist-escapes-house-arrest-in-argentina/article_fcc16a4c-9994-56b8-95df-8665667d1d20.html) — 74-year-old Italian ex-Marxist escapes house arrest in Argentina
- [rtl.lu](https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/74-year-old-italian-ex-marxist-escapes-house-arrest-in-argentina-1757927293) — Leonardo Bertulazzi: 74-year-old Italian ex-Marxist escapes house arrest in Argentina
- [Telegrafi](https://telegrafi.com/nje-rrembyes-arratiset-nga-arresti-shtepiak-ne-argjentine-duke-zbritur-nga-ballkoni-me-litar) — Kidnapper Escapes House Arrest in Argentina - by Climbing Off Balcony with Rope
- [resumenlatinoamericano.org](https://resumenlatinoamericano.org/2026/11/11/argentina-cuando-estaba-a-punto-de-ser-extraditado-a-italia-se-fugo-en-buenos-aires-el-ex-militante-de-las-brigadas-rojas-leonardo-bertulazzi) — Argentina. When He Was About to Be Extradited to Italy, Former Red Brigade Militant Leonardo Bertulazzi Fled to Buenos Aires - Latin American Summary
- [France24](https://france24.com/es/minuto-a-minuto/20261111-un-ex-miembro-de-las-brigadas-rojas-se-fuga-en-argentina-antes-de-su-extradici%C3%B3n) — Former Member of the Red Brigades Escapes in Argentina Before Extradition
- [Unknown](https://ethnos.gr/World/article/429522/synagermossthnargentinhapedrasetoprohnmelostonerythrontaxiarxionleonarntompertoylatsi) — Alarm in Argentina: Former Red Brigades Member Leonardo Bertulazzi Escapes
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/11/11/former-italian-red-brigades-member-escapes-house-arrest-in-argentina-while-awaiting-extradition) — Former Italian Red Brigades member escapes house arrest in Argentina while awaiting extradition
- [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/world/americas/former-italian-red-brigades-member-escapes-house-arrest-in-argentina-while-awaiting-extradition/article_830a5b79-2eee-5128-804c-05886ccf77af.html) — Former Italian Red Brigades member escapes house arrest in Argentina while awaiting extradition
- [Dnevnik](https://dnevnik.si/novice/svet/spektakularen-pobeg-74-letni-pripadnik-rdecih-brigad-izginil-s-5-nadstropja-2839937) — Spectacular Escape: 74-Year-Old Red Brigades Member Disappears From 5th Floor
- [Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer](https://messenger-inquirer.com/ap/ap_international_news/former-italian-red-brigades-member-escapes-house-arrest-in-argentina-while-awaiting-extradition/article_6a8a0c96-59fa-521f-ae72-81a23f8425c7.html) — Former Italian Red Brigades member escapes house arrest in Argentina while awaiting extradition
- [BBC News](https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c933gn6710lyo) — Kidnapper, 74, escapes from house arrest in Argentina by abseiling from balcony
- [Unknown](https://neakriti.gr/kosmos/2210785_argentini-apo-mpalkoni-toy-pemptoy-orofoy-apedrase-proin-melos-ton-erythron) — Argentina: Former Red Brigades Member Escapes From Fifth-Floor Balcony
- [versionrosario.com.ar](https://versionrosario.com.ar/escandalo-en-buenos-aires-un-exterrorista-italiano-escapo-de-su-prision-domiciliaria-con-un-arnes) — Scandal in Buenos Aires: an Italian Ex-Terrorist Escaped From His Home Prison with a Harness
- [NewsBomb](https://newsbomb.gr/kosmos/story/1775813/apedrase-o-74xronos-bertoulatsi-proin-melos-ton-erythron-taksiarxion) — 74-Year-Old Bertulazzi Escaped - The Former Member of the Red Brigades Would Be Extradited to Italy
- [Unknown](https://eleftherostypos.gr/diethni/argentini-apedrase-proin-melos-ton-erythron-taxiarchion-i-amoivi-ton-13-000-dolarion-kai-i-drasi-tis-italikis-organosis) — Argentina: Former Member of the Red Brigades Escapes – The $13,000 Reward and the Action of the Italian Organization
- [CNN Greece](https://cnn.gr/kosmos/story/561500/argentini-apedrase-74xronos-proin-melos-ton-erythron-taksiarxion-me-zoni-asfaleias-apo-balkoni) — Argentina: 74-Year-Old Former Red Brigades Member Escapes with Seat Belt From Balcony
- [Newsit.gr](https://newsit.gr/kosmos/argentini-apedrase-proin-melos-ton-erythron-taksiarxion/4820065) — Argentina: Former Member of the Red Brigades Escapes
- [lagaceta.com.ar](https://lagaceta.com.ar/nota/1162076/seguridad/buenos-aires-se-fugo-leonardo-bertulazzi-ex-integrante-brigadas-rojas-esperaba-ser-extraditado-italia.html) — In Buenos Aires, Leonardo Bertulazzi, the Former Member of the Red Brigades Who Hoped to Be Extradited to Italy, Escaped.
- [elCanciller](https://elcanciller.com/policiales/se-fugo-el-terrorista-italiano-leonardo-bertulazzi--salio-por-la-ventana-colgado-de-un-arnes-en-san-telmo_a6af46cf8a5c9d8a00efd30f8) — Italian Terrorist Leonardo Bertulazzi Escaped: He Went Out the Window Hanging From a Harness in San Telmo
- [Pura Ciudad](https://puraciudad.com.ar/se-fugo-en-san-telmo-un-exintegrante-de-las-brigadas-rojas-italianas-que-esperaba-ser-extraditado) — A Former Member of the Italian Red Brigades Who Hoped to Be Extradited Escaped to San Telmo
- [www.ertnews.gr](https://ertnews.gr/eidiseis/diethni/argetini-apedrase-74xronos-proin-melos-ton-erythron-taksiarxion) — Argentina: 74-Year-Old Former Member of the Red Brigades Escapes
- [La Voce di Venezia](https://lavocedivenezia.it/evasione-a-buenos-aires-lex-br-leonardo-bertulazzi-lascia-i-domiciliari-mentre-attende-lestradizione) — Evasion in Buenos Aires: Ex Br Leonardo Bertulazzi Leaves His House While Waiting for Extradition
- [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/kosmos/2187557/argetini-apedrase-ena-proin-melos-ton-erythron-taxiarchion) — Argentina: A Former Member of the Red Brigades Escaped
- [Business Daily](https://businessdaily.gr/diethni/243034_apedrase-proin-melos-ton-erythron-taxiarhion-ypo-periorismo-stin-argentini) — Argentina: Escape of Former Red Brigades Member
- [Policy Maker](https://policymakermag.it/primo-piano/chi-e-leonardo-bertulazzi-ex-br-in-fuga-in-argentina) — Who Is Leonardo Bertulazzi, the Former BR Fleeing to Argentina
- [chacodiapordia.com](https://chacodiapordia.com/al-gobierno-de-milei-se-le-fugo-un-exintegrante-de-las-brigadas-rojas) — Milei's Government Has Been Run Away From a Former Red Brigades Member and Now Offers Reward
- [Gazeta Do Povo](https://gazetadopovo.com.br/mundo/terrorista-esquerda-aguardava-extradicao-foge-prisao-domiciliar-argentina) — Left-Wing Terrorist Awaiting Extradition Flees to Argentina
- [dnews.gr](https://dnews.gr/eidhseis/kosmos/621960/argentini-drapetefse-prin-ekdothei-stin-italia-diavoito-melos-ton-erythron-taksiarxion) — Argentina: Notorious Red Brigades Member Escaped Before Extraditing Italy
- [Perfil](https://perfil.com/sociedad/leonardo-bertulazzi-exintegrante-de-las-brigadas-rojas-se-fugo-de-su-arresto-domiciliario-en-buenos-aires-a5y4p9d8MWiy) — Leonardo Bertulazzi, Former Member of the Red Brigades, Escaped His House Arrest in Buenos Aires
- [viaszeta.com](https://viaszeta.com/2026/11/11/se-fugo-un-exintegrante-de-las-brigadas-rojas-italianas-escapo-por-el-balcon-con-un-arnes) — There Was an Ex-Integrant of the Squirming ITALY REDS: He Escaped Through the BALCON with an RNA.
- [Noticias Argentinas | Agencia de noticias](https://noticiasargentinas.com/sociedad/ofrecen-una-recompensa-millonaria-para-capturar-al-ex-integrante-de-las-brigadas-rojas-italianas-que-se-fugo-_a6af451e972af9e905aa78bf3) — Offer a Millionaire Reward to Capture the Former Member of the Italian Red Brigades Who Escaped
- [ANSA](https://ansa.it/english/news/general_news/2026/11/11/ex-br-man-skips-house-arrest-in-buenos-aires_2087ed3b-9c5b-4ac6-9fc5-e52eb640ce47.html) — Ex BR man skips house arrest in Buenos Aires - General News
- [Domani](https://editorialedomani.it/fatti/argentina-ex-brigate-rosse-fuggito-argentina-leonardo-bertulazzi-colonna-genovese-sequestro-costa-estradizione-italia-h2o5dem1) — Argentina, Former Br Leonardo Bertulazzi Flees From His Home: He Was Waiting for Extradition
- [blitzquotidiano.it](https://blitzquotidiano.it/cronaca/lex-br-leonardo-bertulazzi-evade-dai-domiciliari-in-argentina-e-caccia-alluomo-3810181) — The Former Br Leonardo Bertulazzi Escapes From the Housekeepers in Argentina: It Is Manhunt
- [Bigodino](https://bigodino.it/attualita/leonardo-bertulazzi-evade-domiciliari-argentina-estradizione.html) — Leonardo Bertulazzi Escapes From His Home in Argentina After the Extradition
- [Agenpress](https://agenpress.it/2026/11/11/argentina-lex-br-leonardo-bertulazzi-evade-i-domiciliari-era-imminente-lestradizione-in-italia) — Argentina, Former Br Leonardo Bertulazzi Escapes Home: Extradition to Italy Was Imminent
- [elciudadanoweb.com](https://elciudadanoweb.com/leonardo-bertulazzi-ex-miembro-de-las-brigadas-rojas-italianas-escapo-de-su-arresto-domiciliario-en-buenos-aires) — Leonardo Bertulazzi, Former Member of the Italian Red Brigades, Escaped House Arrest in Buenos Aires
- [corrieredellacalabria.it](https://corrieredellacalabria.it/2026/11/11/argentina-lex-br-bertulazzi-evade-dai-domiciliari) — Argentina, L'ex Br Bertulazzi Escapes From Home
- [The Social Post](https://thesocialpost.it/2026/11/10/e-fuggito-lex-brigatista-la-notizia-shock) — L'ex Br Bertulazzi Flees From the Housekeepers in Argentina: He Was Waiting for Extradition to Italy
- [Lapresse](https://lapresse.it/esteri/2026/11/10/argentina-ex-br-bertulazzi-fuggito-dai-domiciliari-a-buenos-aires-caccia-alluomo) — Argentina, Former Br Bertulazzi Escaped From the Housekeepers in Buenos Aires: Manhunt
- [notizie.it](https://notizie.it/terrorismo-ex-br-bertulazzi-evade-dai-domiciliari-a-buenos-aires-e-caccia-alluomo) — Terrorism, Former Br Bertulazzi Escapes From the Housekeepers in Buenos Aires: It Is Manhunt
- [Agi.it](https://agi.it/estero/news/2026-11-10/bertulazzi-fuga-domiciliari-buenos-aires-39972869) — Former Br Leonardo Bertulazzi Flees From His Home in Buenos Aires
- [L'Unione Sarda.it](https://unionesarda.it/news/mondo/lex-br-leonardo-bertulazzi-scappa-dai-domiciliari-a-buenos-aires-k4vxexpv) — The Former Br Leonardo Bertulazzi Escapes From His Home in Buenos Aires
- [Quotidiano Nazionale](https://quotidiano.net/cronaca/lex-br-leonardo-bertulazzi-scappa-9043d08f) — The Former Br Leonardo Bertulazzi Escaped From His Homes in Argentina. He Was About to Be Extradited.
- [Agenzia giornalistica Opinione](https://agenziagiornalisticaopinione.it/opinionews/il-sole-24-ore-italia-lex-br-leonardo-bertulazzi-scappa-dai-domiciliari-a-buenos-aires) — IL SOLE 24 HOURS * ITALY: "L"EX BR LEONARDO BERTULAZZI SCAPPA DAI DOMINICILIARI A BUENOS AIRES" - Journalist Agency Opinion. News From Italy - World / Trentino Alto Adige
- [Todo Noticias](https://tn.com.ar/internacional/2026/11/10/leonardo-bertulazzi-exmiembro-de-las-brigadas-rojas-de-italia-escapo-de-su-arresto-domiciliario-en-buenos-aires) — Leonardo Bertulazzi, Former Member of the Italian Red Brigades, Escaped House Arrest in Buenos Aires

## Questions

**How did Leonardo Bertulazzi escape from house arrest?**

Leonardo Bertulazzi, 74, escaped from house arrest in Buenos Aires by using a harness to abseil from a fifth-floor balcony. He also tampered with his electronic ankle monitor to prevent it from registering his escape.

**Why was Leonardo Bertulazzi under house arrest in Argentina?**

Bertulazzi was under house arrest in Argentina while awaiting extradition to Italy. He was convicted of terrorism-related crimes, including a 1977 kidnapping, and was due to serve a 27-year prison sentence.

**What is the Red Brigades?**

The Red Brigades was a far-left militant group in Italy responsible for numerous acts of violence, including kidnappings and murders, during the 1970s and 1980s. Bertulazzi was a member of this organization.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/terror-convict-74-escapes-house-arrest-in-argentina. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Terror convict, 74, escapes house arrest in Argentina", https://mediabias.news/politics/terror-convict-74-escapes-house-arrest-in-argentina