Mafia turncoat extradition at impasse pending clarification from Italian courts

Extradition proceedings against Italian mafia informer Donatella Concas resumed today, after she was released from hospital.

Yesterday's sitting had to be suspended after the woman complained of chest pain.

Concas's lawyer, Malcolm Mifsud, told presiding magistrate Aaron Bugeja that for the European Arrest Warrant to be valid, the requested person - Concas in this case - must have been physically present in court when her sentence was delivered. 

The parties could not agree on which judgement was to be considered as the basis for the EAW. This was important as while Concas had been present when her appeal had been decided, she had not been when the Italian supreme court, the  Corte di Cassazione,  had subsequently confirmed the first court's decision. 

Lawyer Vincienne Vella from the Office of the Attorney General and police Inspector Herman Mula argued that the presence of her lawyer during those proceedings sufficed, but this was hotly contested by the defence.

The court ordered the prosecution to liaise with Italy's judicial authorities in order to obtain clarification.

Concas is to remain in custody until the matter is resolved.