The European Parliament (EP) on Thursday ruled that Brazil's decision to grant political asylum to Italian ex-terrorist Cesare Battisti could be interpreted as ''a display of mistrust towards the EU''.
Brazil's Justice Minister Tarso Genro granted Battisti asylum last month on the grounds that he could face political persecution if he was returned to Italy in accordance with an extradition request.
Approving a recommendation for Brazil to review its decision, parliament stressed that Battisti had been sentenced by an EU member state ''in full respect of the principles of legality on which the EU was founded''.
It also recalled that the ''excellent relations'' between Brazil and the EU were founded on ''reciprocal recognition that both parties respect the law and fundamental rights, including the rights to defence and to a just and fair trial''.
However, the European Commission on Thursday repeated that it cannot intervene because extradition accords exist only between the 27 member states.
Italian European Affairs Minister Andrea Ronchi had urged the Commission to step in if Brazil keeps refusing to extradite the four-time murderer.
Ronchi said Thursday that the EP vote was a source of ''great satisfaction'' for the Italian government.
Brazil's permanent representation to the EU stressed earlier on Thursday that under international refugee laws the fact Brazil had granted Battisti asylum was not an act of hostility between countries, nor did it represent ''a judgement on the guarantees in force in Italy, which Brazil knows very well''.
Brazil's supreme court is due to consider Italy's application to revoke Battisti's asylum and extradite him next month.
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini reiterated Wednesday that the Battisti case is a ''top priority'' for the Italian government.
Earlier in the day Brazil's chief justice said Battisti's asylum status did not ''automatically'' mean he couldn't be extradited, although this had never happened in the past.
