Austria requests alleged fraudster's extradition

A Greek-Austrian man, who is currently residing in Malta, is wanted by the Austrian authorities and they are requesting his extradition for fraud offences.

Konstantinos Alexander Anastasiou, 36, yesterday heard Police Superintendent Peter Paul Zammit read out in court the extradition request before Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani.

The proceedings for his extradition to Austria started following the issue of a certificate by the Attorney General and the issue of a European Arrest Warrant by the Vienna Provincial Criminal Court.

Mr Anastasiou is wanted for untruthfully representing several customers and defrauding them of over €50,000 and for the misappropriation of a Rolls Royce, embezzlement, fraud and swindles.

He is being detained at the Corradino Correctional Facility and is undergoing separate proceedings in the Maltese courts where he is pleading not guilty to organised crime and defrauding five companies of about Lm181,000.

Superintendent Zammit and Inspector Noel Cutajar are prosecuting with the assistance of Senior Counsel to the Republic Donatella Frendo Dimech.

Lawyer Giannella Caruana Curran appeared for Mr Anastasiou.