Man living in Malta wanted in Estonia over kidnapping charges
Defence tells court the accused was not aware of proceedings against him in Estonia and 'had not escaped anything'
A European Arrest Warrant has been issued for a Serbian man living in Malta in connection with kidnapping, extortion and racketeering charges in Estonia, a court heard on Friday.
Dorde Dudic, 31, who has been living in Malta for the past 10 years, appeared in court after Maltese authorities acted on a European Arrest Warrant issued by Estonian authorities.
The prosecution avoided going into the details of the case, saying the Maltese proceedings were not intended to examine the merits of the charges in Estonia but to deal with the request for extradition.
However, presiding magistrate Nadia Helen Vella at one point described the allegations as being “of a very serious nature”.
The prosecution did not elaborate on the alleged offences but said they included kidnapping, extortion and racketeering.
It also referred to a judgment against Dudic from a few years ago, which allegedly involved him attacking a man outside a club in St Paul’s Bay while working at a bar.
The prosecution argued that Dudic should remain in custody for the protection of society and himself, even though he has been living in Malta for 10 years and is married to a European Union national.
Concerns were also raised about the accuracy of the address he had provided, given that there appeared to be some discrepancies.
The defence, led by lawyer Shazoo Ghaznavi, said it was not contesting Dudic’s arrest in Malta. However, Dudic has not consented to his extradition and Ghaznavi requested bail.
Ghaznavi said it was inaccurate to describe Dudic as a fugitive, arguing that he had not been aware of the proceedings or the judgment in Estonia and had not escaped anything.
He said Dudic had not absconded or obstructed his arrest and had cooperated when contacted by the authorities.
The defence lawyer stressed that Dudic had lived in Malta for 10 years, had a job and had a wife here.
He argued that the court could not assume Dudic would flee without real and tangible proof.
“We can’t throw him in prison just because we are worried he may run away. Why? Because he is a foreigner? In that case we can rule out bail for all foreigners then,” Ghaznavi said.
He urged the court to impose conditions if it feared Dudic might flee.
The magistrate denied the request for bail.
The prosecution was led by Inspector Roderick Spiteri and AG lawyer Maria Zerafa Le Gros. Lawyers Shazoo Ghaznavi and Jessica Formosa appeared for the accused.