An Italian businessman wanted in Italy on fraud charges and participation in organised crime this afternoon told a court that he intends to fight the extradition order.

Stefano Detassis, the managing director of Delva, an import and export company dealing in organic cereals, is wanted by the tribunal of Pesaro.

Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona heard how an order had been issued in Italy for him to be placed under house arrest in Italy.

His lawyer Lorna Mifsud Cachia said her client had informed the Italian and Maltese authorities that he was in Malta and was therefore not a fugitive.

Police Inspector Mario Cuschieri told Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona that the Maltese police had received a European Arrest Warrant issued in August 2014 for Mr Detassis.

He was located yesterday in his apartment in Paceville and arrested.

Dr Mifsud Cachia requested bail for her client on the basis that the European Arrest Warrant ordered that he was not be imprisoned but to be kept under house arrest and therefore, he should not be kept in custody in Malta until the extradition proceedings were heard and he should be granted bail.

Deputy Attorney General Donatella Frendo Dimech said house arrest did not exist in Malta as it did in Italy, adding that the Maltese law precluded the granting of bail to a person facing extradition proceedings.

Magistrate Micallef Trigona turned down the request.

Detassis was remanded in custody.