Italy asks UAE to extradite Matacena

(ANSA) - Rome, July 23 - 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.