Italian fights extradition

Angelo Fregapane, an Italian aged 58 years who lives in Qawra, is fighting his extradition in court in connection with fraud charges in Italy amounting to millions of euros.

He yesterday told Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna that Inspector Mario Cuschieri had not allowed him to telephone his lawyer.

The Agrigento businessman is being sought by the Italian authorities who want him in jail after he was sentenced in various cases to almost nine years. Fregapane told Magistrate Apap Bologna that the inspector allowed him to telephone Italy but did not let him communicate with his legal counsel. The Italian Ministry of Justice has sent documentation to the Attorney General here, showing that Fregapane has to serve eight years, 11 months and 20 days in jail.

He is sought by the Italian authorities on fraud and misappropriation charges involving millions of euros. Between 1991-99 he was a director of Cespeda, a company he declared bankrupt so as to defraud his creditors of one billion Italian lire.

Fregapane is represented by Dr Pawlu Lia.