The Sigonella Standoff
1985-10-11
An Egyptian airliner landed at Sigonella in Sicily during the night of 10–11 October 1985, escorted by American fighters. On board were the men who had hijacked the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro and murdered Leon Klinghoffer, an American passenger who used a wheelchair. [1] [2]
The hijackers had left the ship under an arrangement negotiated in Egypt. American F-14s intercepted their flight over the Mediterranean and directed it to the Italian base, where Washington intended to take them into custody. Italy insisted that crimes aboard an Italian ship fell within its jurisdiction. Italian forces surrounded the aircraft while American commandos sought control of the prisoners. [1] [2]
Prime Minister Bettino Craxi held to Italy’s claim. After calls between the governments, American forces withdrew and the four hijackers remained in Italian custody. [1]
Reagan publicly thanked Italy for its cooperation, but Washington continued to seek extradition. That request required evidence and action through Italian procedures. [3] [1]
Related Diplomats
Sources
- The 1985 Sigonella episode and the limits of the United States–Italian relationship — The Army Lawyer
Hijacking, confrontation at the base, and jurisdiction
- White House statement on the Achille Lauro interception
Interception and landing at Sigonella
- Reagan’s remarks and exchange with reporters after the interception
Italian cooperation, custody, and extradition procedures
- Previous Italian ambassadors
- Boeing Names Rinaldo Petrignani To Lead Boeing-Italy
- Rinaldo Petrignani — mission record (1981–1991)
Related Reading
Cite This Article
The Sigonella Standoff. Chanceries Diplopedia. Record 875e923d7417babdb816. https://chanceries.org/research/history/italy-sigonella-88549d1208/