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Mafia fugitive fighting extradition has claustrophobia, wife tells court Mafia fugitive fighting extradition has claustrophobia, wife tells court
(35 minutes later)
A Mafia fugitive who is fighting extradition for a second time has developed claustrophobia and trembling, his wife told a court. A Mafia fugitive fighting extradition for a second time has developed claustrophobia and trembling, his wife told a court.
Domenico Rancadore, known as “the Professor”, was appearing before senior district judge Howard Riddle at Westminster magistrates’ court in central London. Domenico Rancadore, known as “the Professor”, appeared before senior district judge Howard Riddle at Westminster magistrates’ court in central London.
Italian authorities are attempting to extradite the 65-year-old back to Italy to serve a seven-year sentence for association with the Mafia. Italian authorities are trying to extradite the 65-year-old to Italy to serve a seven-year sentence for association with the mafia.
He was arrested for a second time in April after Riddle reversed his initial decision to extradite him over concerns that Italian prison conditions would breach his human rights because he has a serious heart condition.He was arrested for a second time in April after Riddle reversed his initial decision to extradite him over concerns that Italian prison conditions would breach his human rights because he has a serious heart condition.
Asked about Rancadore’s health since he was re-arrested, his wife, Anne Skinner, known to the court as Mrs Rancadore, said: “It has deteriorated, he trembles a lot and he suffers now from claustrophobia. Asked about Rancadore’s health since he was re-arrested, his wife, Anne Skinner – known to the court as Mrs Rancadore – said: “It has deteriorated, he trembles a lot and he suffers now from claustrophobia.
“He cannot be inside a lot and has to go out in the garden because he needs open air spaces.“He cannot be inside a lot and has to go out in the garden because he needs open air spaces.
“He is generally very confused in his mind and it is causing stress with everybody in our house, myself and my daughter as well.“He is generally very confused in his mind and it is causing stress with everybody in our house, myself and my daughter as well.
“He’s mumbling and he accuses me of talking to somebody on the phone when I’m not.“He’s mumbling and he accuses me of talking to somebody on the phone when I’m not.
“One time in the middle of the night he woke me up and asked me who I was talking to.“One time in the middle of the night he woke me up and asked me who I was talking to.
“He has discussed this with the doctor because his mental state is quite worrying for all of us.“He has discussed this with the doctor because his mental state is quite worrying for all of us.
“He often seems quite confused and sits quietly with his hands on his head looking into space.”“He often seems quite confused and sits quietly with his hands on his head looking into space.”
Mrs Rancadore said the family had been shockedby her husband’s second arrest, which she said took place in front of an 11-year-old relative.Mrs Rancadore said the family had been shockedby her husband’s second arrest, which she said took place in front of an 11-year-old relative.
She also said her husband is concerned about what would happen to his family if he were to be sent back to Italy. She also said her husband was concerned about what would happen to his family if he were to be sent back to Italy.
“It is not only his health, he is worried about the family because he would be in Italy and we would be here and that has a great influence on his mental state,” she said.“It is not only his health, he is worried about the family because he would be in Italy and we would be here and that has a great influence on his mental state,” she said.
Alun Jones QC, representing Rancadore, made an abuse of process application, arguing that a case cannot be brought against a defendant more than once.Alun Jones QC, representing Rancadore, made an abuse of process application, arguing that a case cannot be brought against a defendant more than once.
Jones also described Rancadore’s second arrest, which took place at 9pm on a Friday night, as “utterly, utterly unnecessary”.Jones also described Rancadore’s second arrest, which took place at 9pm on a Friday night, as “utterly, utterly unnecessary”.
Rancadore spent two decades living under the name of Marc Skinner with his family in Uxbridge, west London, before he was first arrested in August last year. Rancadore spent two decades living under the name Marc Skinner with his family in Uxbridge, west London, before he was first arrested in August last year.
A first extradition hearing in March failed when Riddle changed his original decision to extradite him. An extradition hearing in March failed when Riddle changed his original decision to extradite him.
But a new arrest warrant issued in April by Italian authorities addressed those issues, prosecutors said at the time. But a new arrest warrant issued addressed those issues, prosecutors said in April.
The hearing continues.The hearing continues.