Tearful Italian paparazzi agent Corona turns himself in
Fled Italian justice just before blackmail sentence upheld
23 January, 14:03
(ANSA) - Milan, January 23 - Fabrizio Corona, Italy's most
famous paparazzi agent who fled last week when a five-year
conviction for blackmailing VIPs with compromising photographs
was upheld, turned himself in to police in Lisbon on Wednesday.Corona disappeared on Friday just hours before the supreme Court of Cassation confirmed the ruling for blackmailing former Juventus and France striker David Trezeguet.
The decision meant the sentence had become effective and he had to go to prison.
"I left Italy because I was dismayed by an unjust sentence and because I fear for my life in Italian prisons," Corona was quoted as saying by his lawyer, Nadia Alecci, in a telephone conversation after turning himself in.
The notorious personality, who has hit the headlines for his colourful exploits and super-model girlfriends, spent over two months in prison in 2007 in relation to a separate case that subsequently led to a conviction for extorting money from former Inter Milan forward Adriano.
Knowing the authorities were on to him, Corona is said to have arranged to meet Portuguese police, who were flanked by Italian officials, at a metro station on Wednesday. Italian police said they had known he was in Lisbon since Saturday.
Corona reportedly broke down in tears after being detained.
He had announced he was going to hand himself in via a videomessage on Facebook.
Corona's flight from the law means an additional two years and 10 months time will be added to his prison sentence.
His criminal record also includes convictions for possession of fake banknotes, tax evasion and assault.
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