Conspiracy theories about the kidnapping and murder of Aldo Moro
On May 9, 1978, Aldo Moro, a Christian Democracy (DC) statesman who advocated for a Historic Compromise with the Italian Communist Party, (PCI), was murdered after 55 days of captivity by the Red Brigades (BR), a far-left terrorist organization. Although the courts established that the BR had acted alone, conspiracy theories related to the Moro case persist, because of the fact that the assassination of Aldo Moro ended the possibility of communism co-governing one of the main economies of the West, something that neither Washington nor Moscow wanted. Most of the conspiracy theories allege additional involvement, ranging from the Italian government itself, its secret services being involved with the BR, the Propaganda Due (P2) Masonic lodge, the CIA, Henry Kissinger, Mossad, and the KGB. Because there remains several unclear aspects and it is widely acknowledged, including by the judges themselves, that there were failures on the part of the police, conspiracy theories are widely popular despite five trials in Rome's Court of Assizes that ended with many life sentences and two parliamentary commissions, among others inquiries. Conspiracy theorists hold that Moro, a progressive who wanted the PCI to be part of government, was ultimately sacrificed due to Cold War politics, that both sides welcomed his kidnapping, and that, by refusing to negotiate, they led to his death.
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