New Red Brigades members convicted in Milan court

A Milan appeals court absolved one and convicted 11 members of the so-called new Red Brigades for submersive acts and armed criminal association on Monday. The leader of the terror group's Milan cell, Claudio Latino, was sentenced to 11 years and six months, reduced from the original request of 14 years. Intent of terrorism was excluded from the charges. The sentence also includes a 100,000-euro damages payment for threats made by group members against labour ministry consultant Pietro Ichino in 2007. The terror group was responsible for the murder of government advisors Massimo D'Antona in 1999 and Marco Biagi in 2002, both of whom were, as Ichino, consulting for the government on labor reforms allowing companies to lay off employees more easily. After being sentenced, members and their families hurled insults and further threats at Ichino, who was present in court and has been under police protection since 2002. Italy is on high alert for terrorism after threats of more violence by a group called the Informal Anarchists Federation (FAI) claimed responsibility for the knee-capping of a nuclear company executive two weeks ago, an act that new Red Brigades members applauded from prison.