Chief Justice upholds request by man wanted in the US

Chief Justice Vincent Degaetano, sitting in the Court of Criminal Appeal, yesterday upheld a request for a constitutional reference to be made in an extradition case.

The court was hearing the proceedings for the extradition of 56-year-old Lewis Muscat to the United States to face 18 charges of paedophilia.

The judicial authorities in the US plan to accuse Mr Muscat of having committed offences against a number of children, including an 11-year-old girl who he is alleged to have been abused over a three-year period.

Mr Muscat told the court his fundamental human rights would be violated if the local courts approved his extradition to the state of California.

The Magistrates' Court had ordered Mr Muscat's extradition to California and he then appealed, asking that his case be referred to a court of constitutional jurisdiction. Mr Muscat has claimed that his rights to a fair hearing and to privacy would be violated by the extradition.

Lawyer Chris Soler was counsel to Mr Muscat.