A magistrate yesterday dealt with an extradition request for a man wanted in Latvia for allegedly digging up a grave to obtain soil for “non-traditional” medicinal purposes.

The crime allegedly happened at about 7 p.m. on June 14, 2009, according to the warrant.

Accompanied by a friend, named as A. Varjakois, Karlis Meiers, 21, from the seaside town of Jurmala, went to the grave in question armed with a shovel following a heavy drinking session. His friend stood on watch as the wanted man dug up the resting place of Lidija Klive, who passed away on March 8, 2007, and in doing so broke a wooden cross and a monument.

The grave forms part of a set of three owned by the Klive family and are located at the Sloka cemetery in Jurmala.

Mr Meiers, who had been remanded in custody after being accused in Malta of aggravated theft, did not consent to his extradition. He is now being kept in prison.

The case continues.

Lawyer Joseph Giglio appeared for Mr Meiers.

Police Superintendent Sandro Zarb prosecuted.