A gendarmerie vehicle here near the Rennes Court of Appeal. – C. Allain / 20 Minutes
He was covered by a European arrest warrant. A 26-year-old man from Catania in Sicily was arrested on May 28 in Saint-Nazaire for drug trafficking in an organized gang. This Friday, the investigation chamber of the Rennes Court of Appeal ordered its surrender to the Italian authorities.
The respondent, originally from Catania, “disputes the facts alleged against him,” said his lawyer Me Franziska Mosimann. “The Italian authorities preferred to go through a European arrest warrant to be sure that he would come forward [mais ce ressortissant italien] agreed to go and report to the Italian authorities, ”she explained.
He “was not hiding”, according to his lawyer
Arrived in France eleven months ago, this Sicilian worked on the sites of the Atlantic and “did not hide”, indicated Me Mosimann. “He was not taken into custody because he had communicated his address himself and because he has a job and a home which are elements of guarantee of representation,” she added.
During his hearing held on Thursday, the young man gave his consent for his surrender to the Italian authorities. This transfer must take place within ten days of next week.