Rome - Italian groups representing the families of victims of the terrorism that bloodied the country during the 1970s and 1980s have condemned France's decision not to extradite a former member of the Red Brigades.

The office of French President Nicolas Sarkozy said over the weekend that convicted murderer Marina Petrella would not be extradited to Italy.

The decision reversed a pledge by Sarkozy that France would no longer grant asylum to members of the Red Brigades and under extremist groups involved in urban guerilla violence during Italy's so-called "years of lead".

Expressing its "deep indignation" the Italian Association Victims of Terrorism (AIVITER) in a statement Monday also rejected the "humanitarian grounds" with which the French authorities justified the decision not to extradite Petrella.

Since her arrest, Petrella, who was born in 1954, has fallen into a severe depression and has lost much weight, according to her supporters in France.

AIVITER says Petrella should still be extradited, allowing Italian medical authorities to assess whether her condition is compatible or not with prison.

Petrella was given a life sentence after being found guilty in absentia by an Italian court in 1992 of murder, kidnapping, attempted kidnapping and armed robbery.

AIVITER is considering organizing a train trip by its members to France so they can stage a protest this coming weekend in front of the presidential Elysee Palace in Paris, a representative for the group, Bruno Berardi told the daily La Stampa.

The Red Brigade's battle with the state culminated with the kidnap and murder of former prime minister Aldo Moro in 1978. By the 1990s the group had been severely weakened when dozens of its members were arrested thanks to information provided to authorities by turncoats. (dpa)