UAE extradites Italian businessman Danilo Coppola in accordance with bilateral treaty

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The UAE has extradited Italian national Danilo Coppola, a convicted financial criminal, to Italy following a formal request from Italian authorities. The extradition marks a significant development in the legal cooperation between the two nations, as per a statement issued by the UAE’s Minister of Justice.

The decision was confirmed during a phone call between Abdullah bin Sultan Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Justice, and his Italian counterpart, Carlo Nordio. Both ministers emphasised that the extradition was conducted in line with the bilateral extradition treaty between the UAE and Italy.

In a joint statement published by state news agency WAM, the ministers said, “These agreements clearly demonstrate our commitment to strengthening cooperation in legal and judicial matters, adhering to the highest international standards, and reinforcing our efforts to combat serious and organised crime.”

They further highlighted that this extradition represents a positive step in the ongoing judicial cooperation between the UAE and Italy, underscoring the shared resolve to ensure that individuals who commit crimes and attempt to evade justice by fleeing abroad will face the consequences of their actions.

The case against Danilo Coppola in Italy

Danilo Coppola was apprehended by Abu Dhabi police last year after being stopped at a shopping centre in Abu Dhabi, according to local media reports. His arrest followed an alert from Interpol, which was issued in response to an international arrest warrant issued by Italian authorities.

Coppola, who was briefly released after his arrest, posted a video on Instagram declaring his innocence and criticising the Italian legal system. “I thank the people who showed me solidarity even in this latest madness that happened to me,” he said in the video.

Coppola’s legal troubles date back several years. In 2022, Italy’s Supreme Court upheld his conviction on three counts of fraudulent bankruptcy related to the collapse of various real estate ventures. He was sentenced to nine years in prison for these crimes, which involved bankruptcies totalling EUR300m(approximately Dhs1.2bn).

The warrant leading to his arrest in Abu Dhabi was based on this conviction, but Coppola is also wanted in connection with two separate cases in Milan. In 2020, a Milan appeals court sentenced him to seven years in prison for another fraudulent bankruptcy case, a verdict that was also upheld by Italy’s Supreme Court of Cassation in 2022.

Additionally, Coppola faces charges of attempted extortion and abuse of privileged information in two other cases. He has denied all charges in these matters.

Prior to his arrest in the UAE, Coppola resided in Switzerland. However, Swiss authorities rejected Italy’s request to extradite him in connection with the attempted extortion case in May 2022.

UAE’s efforts against financial criminals

The UAE’s decision to extradite Coppola is part of a broader initiative by the country to tackle financial crime. The UAE has been intensifying its efforts to address the issue of convicted or suspected financial criminals who relocate to its territory.

Recently, the UAE also extradited British trader Sanjay Shah to Denmark in connection with tax fraud charges, further demonstrating its commitment to upholding international justice and supporting global law enforcement efforts.

Read: Denmark begins court trial against Sanjay Shah in fraud case