Extradition proceedings were launched in court today against a Latvian man who is wanted in his come country for allegedly desecrating a grave.

Karlis Meiers 21, who is currently in Corradino Prison awaiting trial for aggravated theft, is wanted by the Latvian authorities for allegedly digging up a grave at Sloka.

The case took place on June 14, 2009. 

The Latvian prosecutors are claiming that the accused dug up a grave and threw away the wooden cross which was on top of it. He wanted to take sand from the grave 'for medicinal purposes'. The grave had last been opened in 2007.

He was accompanied by another man who stood watch.

The two were noticed by a number of people who raised the alarm, but the two men managed to escape.   

In a separate case, extradition proceedings were also started today against  Alexei Kostin, a 26-year-old Estonian, wanted by the authorities for aggravated theft.

He too is being held in Corradino for alleged aggravated theft in Malta.