Wanted man granted bail but confined to house

A Maltese man wanted by the Italian authorities for his alleged involvement in the importation of drugs into Catania was yesterday granted bail on condition that he does not leave his house without permission from the court.

Magistrate Joseph Cassar granted bail to Romeo Bone after ruling that he needed more time to examine the legal arguments raised by the defence and the prosecution on Wednesday.

Bone, 26, is wanted by the Italian government for his alleged involvement in the importation of cocaine and cannabis from Holland to Catania last year.

On Wednesday, Dr Joseph Giglio, for Bone, asked the magistrate to declare the extradition proceedings against his client null on the grounds that the judicial time limit had elapsed and the court had not requested an extension.

But Dr Donatella Frendo Dimech, prosecuting, said that Dr Giglio's reference to the nullity of the case did not necessarily apply and, in any case, the law stated that the issue of nullity could only be raised once the bill of indictment had been read out in court and in this case there was no bill.

During yesterday's sitting Magistrate Cassar ruled that he needed more time to evaluate the points raised by both parties and put off the case to March 11.

Dr Giglio then made a request for bail on his client's behalf and Bone was granted bail on the condition that he does not leave his house and does not approach any witnesses. The magistrate bound him against a personal guarantee of Lm5,000.

Police Inspector Harrison and Police Inspector Norbert Ciappara are prosecuting with the assistance of Counsel to the Republic Dr Frendo Dimech.