High Court to decide 'Mafia' case

The extradition of an alleged Mafia boss to Italy following his arrest in east London last year will be decided by the High Court.

City of Westminster Magistrates' Court made the ruling on Friday and remanded Raffaele Caldarelli, 35, in custody.

Senior District Judge Timothy Workman ruled he could be extradited on drug trafficking charges but a warrant concerning other matters was not valid.

Mr Calderelli's defence is to appeal the extradition for drug trafficking.

Drugs and weapons

Meanwhile the Italian government is expected to appeal against the discharged warrant, ruled invalid by Judge Workman, which says Mr Calderelli is part of a criminal organisation and involved in gun running.

Mr Caldarelli was arrested in Hackney, where he was running a shoe shop, in September 2006.

The court has heard claims that Mr Caldarelli was a member of the Camorra, the Naples-based Mafia.

Police in Naples, Mr Caldarelli's home town, said he is wanted for extortion and trafficking in drugs and weapons.

They added that he was sentenced to jail in his absence in 1995, but had managed to evade police since then.

A decision could be made at the High Court in March.