French prisoners to wed in Pieta

The wedding between prisoners Alain Schmitt and his girlfriend Laurence Liegeois will take place at a chapel in Pieta on a date to be announced later, their lawyer, Emmy Bezzina said this morning.

Mr Schmitt, who is the leader of a French sect, and Ms Liegeois are in custody pending extradition proceedings.

Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna yesterday ruled that although there was no doubt that the couple had the right to get married, he did not have the competence to decide upon the request.

The couple are contesting the request by French authorities for their extradition.

Addressing a news conference this morning, Dr Bezzina said the couple will be married both civilly and according to the Catholic rite.

He said that together with members of their community, he visited the Marriage Registry this morning and was told and that the appointment for the couple to get everything in order had to come from the prison authorities.

Two members of the community went to speak to prisons director Supt. Abraham Zammit, who told them that the marriage could take place as long as it was according to prison rules.

Dr Bezzina said Fr Mark Montebello was more than willing to officiate the ceremony.