The police have asked for a European Arrest Warrant to be issued against an Italian surgeon who is wanted in connection with a case of alleged malpractice at St Luke’s Hospital five years ago, in which a patient died of complications.

Charges of involuntary homicide have been issued against the doctor. However, since he could not be found the police have asked for a European Arrest Warrant to be issued.

The doctor is expected to be arraigned during court proceedings related to the case, which started last week. The case is being heard behind closed doors, with the court having issued a ban on the reporting of most other details.

In a sitting yesterday, Police Inspectors Kevin Farrugia and Sandro Camilleri asked Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit to suspend the time bar until the doctor is found. The request was accepted.

A person cannot be charged in court if the prescription period on the crime – in this case 10 years – runs out. The doctor left Malta shortly after the failed operation at St Luke’s Hospital six years ago.

He is alleged to have removed an artery instead of a vein from a patient’s leg. The patient  eventually died of complications despite various operations to save him.