It was a very similar political process to the pardoning of paramilitaries in NI during the Good Friday Agreement.
The 'terrorists' who were not directly involved in terrorism, i.e. had not been directly involved in any violence, were allowed to stay in France as long as they held peaceful and responsible lives. They were, if you like, on licence, just like any convicted criminal allowed out of prison on probation.
Any that were directly involved in violence were arrested and extradited back to Italy 40 or 50 years ago.
The current arrests were of the few that had not been directly involved in violence and had led responsible and peaceful lives over the last 60years.
They remain under arrest in France and a French court will decide whether they are to be extradited back to Italy.
Antagonism does not work. Cooperation does.
Transam, et al are keen to switch attention away from the corruption, cheating and lying of the current UK government.
It's their usual tactic, along with, "everyone does it".