Dominican friar Fr Mark Montebello has "happily accepted" to marry a wanted French couple being held in preventative custody, should a court grant permission for the ceremony to take place.

The request was made on Friday by lawyer Emmy Bezzina on behalf of his clients Alain Schmitt, 40, and his 47-year-old girlfriend Laurence Liegeois. It was formally presented to Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna on Monday.

Mr Schmitt, the spiritual leader of a French sect, and Ms Liegeois are wanted by the French authorities allegedly for escaping from France after they were convicted for torture and kidnapping two years ago. They are undergoing extradition proceedings.

Dr Bezzina asked that the ceremony take place either in the chapel at Corradino Corrective Facility or any other place the court deemed fit.

He asked the court to let the couple go to the Registry Office on Friday and submit the necessary documentation so as to allow them to marry. He also asked that a number of guests be allowed to take part in the ceremony.

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