Germany extradites accused 21-year-old killer back to Italy

A 21-year-old Italian man accused of having killed his ex-girlfriend in a case that shocked the country has been extradited back to Italy from Germany on Saturday, reported dpa.

He was brought back to Venice aboard a military aircraft, a week after being arrested by German police on a motorway near the eastern German city of Leipzig.

The death of 22-year-old Giulia Cecchettin has made headlines in Italy and unleashed a major debate in the country about violence against women.

There have been demonstrations in many Italian cities over the past few days. A minute's silence has been observed at schools and universities.

On Saturday - the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls - key chains were rattled in many places in protest femicide, or the killing of women due to their gender.

The 21-year-old is accused of killing the student two weeks ago after a date. Cecchettin's body was only discovered after days of searching in a ravine in northern Italy.

The suspected killer fled the country but was apprehended after his car broke down in Germany.