Sebastiano Brunno, who was captured in Malta in a joint anti-Mafia operation by Maltese and Italian police, today lost an appeal against his extradition.

He had filed his appeal not to be extradited in December. Mr Brunno is wanted by the Italian authorities to serve a life sentence in connection with a murder.

Mr Brunno's lawyer, Roberto Montalto, argued that the defence is requesting that the warrant of arrest is declared null since the documents the court based the extradition sentence on were incorrect.

Another argument the defence has raised in its appeal is the fact that if Mr Brunno is sent back to Italy to serve a life sentence over a murder which took place 22 years ago he would face degrading treatment.

Dr Montalto had asked for the release of his client from police custody.

 

The man had been wanted by Italian police since 2009. He has been charged with falsifying documents after a fake Italian identity card was found in his possession. According to the Italian police, Mr Brunno was attempting to pass off as a 49-year-old male from Palermo. 
Maltese police spent three months tracking him down in a covert operation which proved successful. Footage of the arrest had been made public.