A magistrate yesterday ordered that an Italian businessman, wanted in Italy on charges of fraud and participation in organised crime, be remanded in custody pending extradition proceedings.

Stefano Detassis, managing director of a company dealing with the import and export of organic cereals, Delva Corporation Limited, is the subject of a European arrest warrant issued by the tribunal of Pesaro, Italy.

The court heard he was under house arrest in Italy. Defence counsel Lorna Mifsud Cachia said her client had informed the Italian and Maltese authorities he was in Malta and was not, therefore, a fugitive.

Police Inspector Mario Cuschieri told Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona the Maltese police had received a European arrest warrant for Mr Detassis issued last August.

He was only located yesterday, in his apartment in Paceville, and arrested immediately.

Dr Mifsud Cachia requested bail, asking for house arrest to be imposed in Malta until his extradition proceedings were heard. However, Deputy Attorney General Donatella Frendo Dimech said house arrest did not exist in Malta as it did in Italy, adding that Maltese law only allowed bail to be granted in exceptional circumstances for persons facing extradition.

Moreover, had the Italians not wanted Mr Detassis to be arrested they would not have issued a European arrest warrant requesting his arrest. Magistrate Micallef Trigona agreed and turned down the request.