'Mafia' extradition appeal fails

Antonio La Torre's extradition was ordered at the end of last year

An Aberdeen businessman with alleged Mafia links is continuing his fight to avoid extradition to Italy after his appeal against the move was refused.

Antonio La Torre's legal team lodged a further appeal after the Appeal Court's ruling on Friday.

The 50-year-old faces charges of extortion, racketeering and violence.

He was sentenced to 13 years in jail after being found guilty of various crimes in Naples in 2004 at a trial held in his absence.

Police in Italy have accused him of running a Mafia-style family from his home in Aberdeen, where he has lived with his wife and children for more than 18 years.

Late last year Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson granted two extradition orders to allow him to be deported to Italy.

Mr La Torre appealed the orders claiming that he and his family would be put in danger.

House of Lords

That was rejected by the Appeal Court in Edinburgh on Friday, and a motion seeking leave to appeal this decision to the Privy Council was also refused.

Mr La Torre's counsel, Mungo Bovey QC, indicated he would be appealing to the Privy Council against the decision not to allow him to appeal the refusal.

Mr La Torre's legal team has 28 days to lodge this appeal.

If the Privy Council decide it should not go to the House of Lords, Mr La Torre would be extradited within 10 days.