An arrest warrant has been issued in Brazil for a former communist militant wanted for four murders in Italy during the 1970s.
Cesare Battisti has lived in Brazil as a refugee with the backing of former left-wing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
But incoming far-right president Jair Bolsonaro has pledged to extradite him.
Battisti told AFP last year he faced “torture” and death if he were to be sent back to Italy.
Brazil's Federal Police and Ministry of Justice, together with Battisti's lawyer, have confirmed the warrant, following initial reports by local media.
Police also told the BBC his whereabouts are currently unknown.
In 1979, the militant was convicted of belonging to a far-left terrorist group outlawed in Italy – the Armed Proletarians for Communism (PAC).
He escaped prison in 1981. Later, Battisti was convicted in absentia for killing two Italian law officials, for taking part in a separate murder and for planning another which left the victim's 14-year-old son in a wheelchair after a shoot-out.
Battisti has admitted being part of the PAC but denies responsibility for the murders.
Since his escape, he has gone on to became a successful writer of police novels.
