AUGUST 9, 2013
A mafia boss wanted in Italy since the 1990s has been arrested in London but may be released because of "significant deficiencies" with his arrest warrant.
Domenico Rancadore, 64, was wanted over his links with Cosa Nostra.
He was the head of a crime family involved in extortion, racketeering and drug trafficking, Italian police said.
But the judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court said there were concerns over the warrant's validity. He will be in court again on Friday.
The Metropolitan Police arrested Rancadore on Wednesday evening at a residential address in Manor Waye, Uxbridge, under a European Arrest Warrant issued in January 2012.
The court was told that when the police arrived, he tried to leave by the back door but a police officer was there, reports the BBC.
He told them his name was Marc Skinner but the officer said he knew who he really was, the judge was told.
However, in court on Thursday afternoon District Judge Quentin Purdy said: "The warrant may be such it has to be discharged."
Defending, Euan Macmillan said there were "significant deficiencies" with the document.
Rancadore has been remanded in custody until a hearing on Friday afternoon when the judge will decide if he can be released on bail.
The court heard how the Italian came to the UK in 1993, after being acquitted at the end of a three-year court case over Mafia allegations.
But in a second trial in 1999, the former teacher was convicted in his absence of being part of a criminal organisation between 1987 to 1995. He was sentenced to seven years in jail.
Macmillan said Rancadore had lived "a blameless life" in Britain.
The Italian Interior Ministry said he had run a travel agency in London and had led a comfortable life.
In a statement, it said: "Several co-operating witnesses have referred to him as a leading member of the Palermo Mafia 'family', with a senior managerial role in the Caccamo 'commandment'.
"In particular, in the 1990s, he played the role of chief of the Cosa Nostra in Trabia, Palermo.
"The operation is the result of the important relationship of international police co-operation ensured through Interpol."
Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, Angelino Alfano, said he was "pleased" one of the "most dangerous fugitives" had been arrested.
Domenico Rancadore, 64, was wanted over his links with Cosa Nostra.
He was the head of a crime family involved in extortion, racketeering and drug trafficking, Italian police said.
But the judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court said there were concerns over the warrant's validity. He will be in court again on Friday.
The Metropolitan Police arrested Rancadore on Wednesday evening at a residential address in Manor Waye, Uxbridge, under a European Arrest Warrant issued in January 2012.
The court was told that when the police arrived, he tried to leave by the back door but a police officer was there, reports the BBC.
He told them his name was Marc Skinner but the officer said he knew who he really was, the judge was told.
However, in court on Thursday afternoon District Judge Quentin Purdy said: "The warrant may be such it has to be discharged."
Defending, Euan Macmillan said there were "significant deficiencies" with the document.
Rancadore has been remanded in custody until a hearing on Friday afternoon when the judge will decide if he can be released on bail.
The court heard how the Italian came to the UK in 1993, after being acquitted at the end of a three-year court case over Mafia allegations.
But in a second trial in 1999, the former teacher was convicted in his absence of being part of a criminal organisation between 1987 to 1995. He was sentenced to seven years in jail.
Macmillan said Rancadore had lived "a blameless life" in Britain.
The Italian Interior Ministry said he had run a travel agency in London and had led a comfortable life.
In a statement, it said: "Several co-operating witnesses have referred to him as a leading member of the Palermo Mafia 'family', with a senior managerial role in the Caccamo 'commandment'.
"In particular, in the 1990s, he played the role of chief of the Cosa Nostra in Trabia, Palermo.
"The operation is the result of the important relationship of international police co-operation ensured through Interpol."
Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, Angelino Alfano, said he was "pleased" one of the "most dangerous fugitives" had been arrested.
No comments:
Post a Comment