A former member of Italy's disbanded Red Brigades group has been released from a French prison due to ill health.
A former member of Italy's disbanded Red Brigades group has been released from a French prison due to ill health.
Last year, Marina Petrella was arrested in Paris after two decades on the run and now faces extradition to Italy.
Last year, Marina Petrella was arrested in Paris after two decades on the run and now faces extradition to Italy.
Petrella, 54, was sentenced to life in absentia by a Rome court in 1992 for murder and kidnapping.
Petrella, 54, was sentenced to life in absentia by a Rome court in 1992 for murder and kidnapping.
The former leftwing militant - who is reportedly suicidal - is currently receiving treatment in the psychiatric ward of a Paris hospital.
The former leftwing militant - who is reportedly suicidal - is currently receiving treatment in the psychiatric ward of a Paris hospital.
Petrella is reported to have round-the-clock police surveillance in hospital.
Petrella is reported to have round-the-clock police surveillance in hospital.
'Hope'
'Hope'
The conditions of her release from prison state that when she leaves hospital she must remain in France and check in with police once a week.
The conditions of her release from prison state that when she leaves hospital she must remain in France and check in with police once a week.
Petrella's lawyer, Irene Terrel, said her client was pleased she would be able to rebuild her life.
Petrella's lawyer, Irene Terrel, said her client was pleased she would be able to rebuild her life.
"By choosing to make this humanitarian gesture, the highest authorities of the state have shown a clear will to appease the situation, that opens a path of hope for Ms Petrella," Ms Terrel said in a statement after the court's decision.
"By choosing to make this humanitarian gesture, the highest authorities of the state have shown a clear will to appease the situation, that opens a path of hope for Ms Petrella," Ms Terrel said in a statement after the court's decision.
Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano, however, has ruled out any automatic pardon for Petrella.
Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano, however, has ruled out any automatic pardon for Petrella.
The leftist Red Brigades were accused of dozens of murders in the 1970s and 80s, including the murder of Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro in 1978.
The leftist Red Brigades were accused of dozens of murders in the 1970s and 80s, including the murder of Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro in 1978.
Petrella fled Italy after being freed on bail from prison in 1986. She settled in France when Socialist President Francois Mitterrand offered the leftist militants asylum provided they renounced violence.
Petrella fled Italy after being freed on bail from prison in 1986. She settled in France when Socialist President Francois Mitterrand offered the leftist militants asylum provided they renounced violence.
She was later convicted in her absence of the murder of a police officer and seriously wounding his driver, among other offences.
She was later convicted in her absence of the murder of a police officer and seriously wounding his driver, among other offences.
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