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Wanted mafia boss Rancadore awaits judge's bail ruling | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A Sicilian Mafia family boss found living in London could be bailed while Italian authorities seek to extradite him to serve a seven year jail term. | A Sicilian Mafia family boss found living in London could be bailed while Italian authorities seek to extradite him to serve a seven year jail term. |
Domenico Rancadore headed a family involved in extortion, racketeering and drug trafficking, Italian police claim. | Domenico Rancadore headed a family involved in extortion, racketeering and drug trafficking, Italian police claim. |
The 64-year-old was arrested on Wednesday at a house in Uxbridge under a European Arrest Warrant. | The 64-year-old was arrested on Wednesday at a house in Uxbridge under a European Arrest Warrant. |
But his lawyers claim "significant deficiencies" in the warrant mean he should be granted bail. | But his lawyers claim "significant deficiencies" in the warrant mean he should be granted bail. |
Commenting on the arrest, Italian deputy prime minister and interior minister Angelino Alfano said an "important mobster" had been arrested and he would "go to jail". | Commenting on the arrest, Italian deputy prime minister and interior minister Angelino Alfano said an "important mobster" had been arrested and he would "go to jail". |
Rancadore, a father-of-two, was initially acquitted of Mafia-related crimes after a three-year trial in Italy and came to the UK in 1993. | Rancadore, a father-of-two, was initially acquitted of Mafia-related crimes after a three-year trial in Italy and came to the UK in 1993. |
'Blameless life' | 'Blameless life' |
He was said to have been known to his neighbours in Manor Waye, Uxbridge, as Marc Skinner. | He was said to have been known to his neighbours in Manor Waye, Uxbridge, as Marc Skinner. |
But in 1999 he was convicted in his absence of being part of a criminal organisation and sentenced by the Italian authorities to seven years in jail. | But in 1999 he was convicted in his absence of being part of a criminal organisation and sentenced by the Italian authorities to seven years in jail. |
In a statement the Italian Interior Ministry said Rancadore had "played the role of chief of the Cosa Nostra in Trabia, Palermo". | In a statement the Italian Interior Ministry said Rancadore had "played the role of chief of the Cosa Nostra in Trabia, Palermo". |
Under the terms of a European Arrest Warrant issued last year he was arrested on Wednesday at his west London home. | Under the terms of a European Arrest Warrant issued last year he was arrested on Wednesday at his west London home. |
At Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, Euan Macmillan, for Rancadore, said there were "significant deficiencies" in the warrant. | At Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, Euan Macmillan, for Rancadore, said there were "significant deficiencies" in the warrant. |
His client had come to the UK "as a free man on his own Italian passport with his family". | His client had come to the UK "as a free man on his own Italian passport with his family". |
"He has led a blameless life in this country for the past 20 years," he added. | "He has led a blameless life in this country for the past 20 years," he added. |
Remanding Rancadore in custody on Thursday, District Judge Quentin Purdy said: "There are concerns about the validity of the warrant that has come before the court." | Remanding Rancadore in custody on Thursday, District Judge Quentin Purdy said: "There are concerns about the validity of the warrant that has come before the court." |
Judge Purdy is expected to rule later whether Rancadore can be bailed pending the outcome of legal proceedings against him by the Italian authorities. | Judge Purdy is expected to rule later whether Rancadore can be bailed pending the outcome of legal proceedings against him by the Italian authorities. |