A Romanian national wanted over the death of a Sudanese man in Paceville has waived extradition proceedings in his home country and will arrive in Malta tomorrow, The Sunday Times has learnt.
The second suspect assisted police with their inquiries but was not directly involved in the incident
Sources close to the police investigation said Antonel Dobre, from Bucharest, had waived extradition proceedings in Romania following his arrest by Romanian police on the strength of a European Arrest Warrant issued by Malta.
Mr Dobre and another Romanian are wanted in connection with the death of Osama Al Shzliaoy, a 27-year-old Sudanese man who was found lying in a pool of blood outside a Paceville club on March 17. The migrant died four days later when life support machines were turned off.
The Romanians were identified following police investigations and the release of CCTV footage stills of the two suspects, which were circulated on social networks.
One of them was arrested in Malta while the other had fled to Romania shortly after receiving medical attention at Mater Dei Hospital for slight injuries sustained during the brawl with Mr Shzliaoy outside the nightclub Clique.
The Sudanese man’s friends are saying Mr Shzliaoy and Mr Dobre had accidentally brushed shoulders inside the club’s toilet some time before the incident took place.
Maltese police, through the office of the Attorney General, issued a European Arrest Warrant against Mr Dobre.
Sources said Romanian police surprised Mr Dobre at his apartment in Bucharest early in the morning after they managed to locate him and also used CCTV footage of him arriving at Bucharest airport.
Two police officers from the Special Assignment Group are expected to fly out to Bucharest Otopeni Airport this morning, via Munich, and will return tomorrow.
Romanian police are expected to hand over Mr Dobres to their Maltese counterparts before the flight back to Malta. It is due to arrive at 4 p.m.
Mr Dobres, who will be interrogated by Maltese police upon arrival, is expected to be charged with causing grievous bodily harm followed by death.
Extradition proceedings can be rather expensive in most countries, and most suspects, including those taken to court in Malta to face extradition, prefer skipping this process and facing proceedings in the country where they are wanted.
It is understood the second suspect assisted police with their inquiries but was not directly involved in the incident.