An Italian prosecutor today sought to delay any decision on extraditing a London bombings suspect arrested in Rome, saying he asked at court hearing for further documents in the case.
Hamdi Issac, also known as Osman Hussain, appeared at today's extradition hearing at a Rome court, said court official Salvatore Frezzetto. British authorities want to prosecute Issac for his alleged role in one of the failed July 21st bombings.
He was arrested in Rome on June 29th. During a break in the hearing, Italian prosecutor Alberto Cozzella told reporters he had "asked for a delay to allow for checks on the material elements of what happened" in the botched bombings.
Paolo Iorio, a lawyer representing the British government in the case, said such documents would include analyses of the contents of the bag that Issac allegedly carried onto an underground train at London's Shepherd's Bush station on the day of the attacks.
Through his lawyer, Mr Issac has claimed his bag contained a mixture of flour and a liquid hair product and was not meant to kill. Italian prosecutors suggested they could push for temporary extradition so Mr Issac could be returned to Italy to face international terrorism charges there.
The court deliberating Britain's request could decide to grant full extradition for Mr Issac or no extradition at all. Following a decision, lawyers and prosecutors would have 10 days to present an appeal to the Court of Cassation, Italy's highest court.
That court would then make its ruling within 15 days. If the Rome court agrees to extradite Mr Issac, Italian prosecutors have asked the transfer be delayed so Italian authorities have more time to investigate possible crimes committed on Italian territory, Mr Issac's lawyer, Antonnietta Sonnessa, told reporters at the court.
Mr Issac is being held in Rome on international terrorism charges. Mr Issac, a British citizen, is wanted in connection with failed attacks that came two weeks after four deadly explosions on the London transport system.
Ms Sonnessa has suggested that her client would oppose the extradition request, saying he preferred to remain in Italy. Mr Sonnessa has said today's hearing is likely to be "the decisive one."