NAVAL SPY EXECUTED

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1933, Page 8

NAVAL SPY EXECUTED

ITALIAN FACES FIRING SQUAD. For the betrayal of his country in circumstances that so far have been kept secret, Petty-Officer Ugo Traviglia, of the Italian Navy, lately paid the penalty of death before a firing squad in the courtyard of Fort Braschi, on the outskirts of Rome. Traviglia was found guilty of “grave military espionage” in the interests of a‘ neighbouring State. He is said to have sold naval plans to an agent of the French Government. It was not until some hours after the sentence had been carried out that his trial and execution were announced. The firing squad was composed of sailors. Traviglia asked not to be blindfolded and that he might be shot in the chest, but the latter request could not be granted, as the rule in Italy ordains shooting in the back. His last words were: “Sailors, I demand pardon of God and of my country for the wrong I have done.”

A woman named Camilla Aglairdi, an associate of Traviglia, was also sentenced to death for espionage, but the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. King Victor Emmanuel signed the decree granting her clemency. Following the passing of the death sentence on Traviglia, Signor Mussolini received the head of the 0.V.R.A., the Fascist secret police, and congratulated him on their good work.