Sicilian held under arrest 'after wrong court procedure'
A wrong procedure was used by a court which earlier this week started hearing extradition proceedings against a Sicilian who is allegedly linked to the mafia, the prosecution and defence in the case agreed today. As a result, the accused was being held...
A wrong procedure was used by a court which earlier this week started hearing extradition proceedings against a Sicilian who is allegedly linked to the mafia, the prosecution and defence in the case agreed today. As a result, the accused was being held illegally, the defence claimed.
Salvatore Stefano Rizzotto, 38, from Syracuse should be released immediately as he should not pay for the mistakes of the authorities, defence lawyer Anġlu Farrugia told Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna .
Mr Rizzotto was remanded in custody on Tuesday by Magistrate Audrey Demicoli.
Dr Donnatella Frendo Dimech from the Attorney Generals Office, said that the prosecution had tried to bring to the magistrate’s attention the fact that there were a special set of laws regarding extradition proceedings.
Dr Farrugia said that since procedure was not followed and the name of the accused was not even registered, the proceedings were null and his client should be released.
The prosecution asked the court to remedy the situation.
Magistrate Apap Bologna postponed the decision on whether Mr Rizotto should be released on bail to tomorrow.
Mr Rizzotto is wanted by the Sicilian authorities on drug-related charges.