The Italian government has asked
the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to extradite Amedeo Matacena, a
former member of Forza Italia (FI) and an associate of its
founder, ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi, sources said Thursday.
Matacena was convicted of Mafia association and fled Italy.
A letter was sent by Davide Mattiello, a member of the
anti-mafia and justice committee representing the Democratic
Party (PD) to the UAE ambassador Sequer Alraisi seeking
Matacena's extradition.
In the letter, Mattiello refers to preliminary negotiations
between Italian and UAE authorities towards an extradition
treaty that he said he hopes will soon be effective.
With that, the UAE could send Matacena back to Italy, he
added.
But in the meantime, the Italian people are anxious for "a
concrete signal" that an extradition will soon occur, said
Mattiello.
"Parliament hopes it can get a concrete signal, which would
be definitely appreciated, as well at the institutional level,
and also to all those Italian citizens who believe that the law
is and should be the same for all".
In June 2014, Matacena said in a newspaper interview that
he intended to remain in Dubai, where he felt safe from
extradition.
Matacena said he would return to Italy only if his case is
put before Europe's Court of Human Rights as well as Italy's
high Cassation Court.
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