US request for man's extradition

The US authorities are requesting the extradition of an American man for allegedly conspiring to deal in drugs.

David Allen van Osten, 44, yesterday appeared before the Magistrates' Court under arrest on the strength of a provisional arrest warrant issued by Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima last Monday.

The warrant referred to an arrest warrant issued by the United States District Court, Northern District of Iowa, on October 6, 2003, and stated that van Osten was wanted by the US in connection with allegations of trafficking and dealing in drugs.

Asked whether or not he contested the extradition request, Dr Anthony Cutajar, for van Osten, replied he preferred to consider his client's position at this stage. At the end of yesterday's sitting Dr Cutajar asked for bail arguing there was no reason to fear his client would leave the island, at which point van Osten said: "I swear to God I'll stay here".

The prosecution opposed the request for fear of the suspect absconding. The prosecution submitted that van Osten had escaped from the US after he had filed a guilty plea in the US court and gone through plea bargaining.

Earlier, the Senior Counsel to the Republic, Donatella Frendo Dimech, exhibited several documents that had been received by the Attorney General's office from the US Attorney General and witnessed by the Secretary of State.

The documents included the indictment file and a document showing that a plea agreement had been reached between the US court and van Osten.

The case continues.

Police Inspectors Morgan Azzopardi and Dennis Theuma prosecuted with the assistance of Dr Frendo Dimech.