Patrick Spiteri, a former lawyer who was disbarred and is wanted on charges of fraud, misappropriation of funds and falsification of documents has finally been extradited to Malta and is expected to spend the next few weeks in custody.
Mr Spiteri appeared before two magistrates today while under arrest. He was extradited from Surrey, where he has been residing, to face charges of fraud and misappropriating some €7.4 million.
Media reports say that Mr Spiteri was arrested in the UK just yesterday due to the seven European Arrest Warrants against him. This is the third attempt by Maltese authorities to bring Mr Spiteri back. He had escaped from custody the first time, and on the second occasion he resisted being extradited on the basis that he had a medical condition.
It has been reported that he was successfully transferred to Malta while being accompanied by a doctor and officers, and was declared fit to stand trial.
He appeared before Magistrates Josette Demicoli and Consuelo Scerri Herrera over the various cases against him. He has a separate case pending before Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona and Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech. It has been reported that Magistrate Frendo Dimech will be recusing herself after having prosecuted against him in her role as deputy attorney general in the past.
Lawyer Stefano Filletti will be defending Mr Spiteri, and asked both magistrates to provide him with some time to get acquainted with the cases. Magistrate Scerri Herrera upheld the request, after giving a stern warning. Bail has not been requested in either sitting, and Police inspector Ian Abdilla is prosecuted.
Mr Spiteri had been living permanently in the UK since January of 2014. He resided in a €4 million country estate.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2sekTLd
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