An Italian man is to be extradited to Italy to face prosecution for “association in armed mafia activities.”

Ettore Riccobono, 33, from Catania was arrested in Malta following a European Arrest Warrant and did not object to his extradition when he appeared before a magistrate on Friday. 

Mr Riccobono was one of 17 persons named in connection with an operation referred to as ‘Podere Mafioso’ conducted by the Catania police and involving corruption and illegal state benefits. 

Mr Riccobono allegedly recruited 'labourers' for ‘ghost’ firms and used the system to defraud the state. 

Some 500 ghost workers were reported to have been receiving benefits.

Earlier this week, the sister-in-law of an Italian Mafia boss, Mariella Franchini, 57, from Bari, likewise consented to her extradition after being targeted by a European Arrest Warrant which she did not contest.

Inspector Mark Galea prosecuted.

Lawyer Victor Bugeja was legal aid counsel to the requested person.

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