German who absconded to Malta denied bail

Magistrate Neville Camilleri has denied bail to a German national arrested in Malta after absconding from America three days prior to his trial by jury.

He was arrested in October 2011 and faced charges of possession and distribution of child pornography. An American court had granted him bail awaiting trial but on 6 April, the accused discarded his tracking device and absconded to Germany.

The man arrived in Malta together with his wife in May 2012.

Maltese police officers tracked the accused to his residence in Mosta and proceeded for his arrest after the American authorities filed a request for his extradition. The accused had a Maltese ID card, however the address appearing on this document was not were he was in fact residing.

The case continues on 30 May.

Police inspector Melvin Camilleri and Deputy AG Donatella Frendo Dimech prosecuted. Lawyers Abigail Bugeja and Lucio Schriha appeared for the accused.