Mafia accused in appeal

A BUSINESSMAN accused of being the head of a Mafia crime family has lodged an appeal against extradition from Scotland to Italy.

Cathy Jamieson, the justice minister, last month signed an order to have Antonio La Torre removed from Scotland.

La Torre, 49, of Aberdeen, is wanted by the Italian authorities to face a series of charges. He moved to Scotland in the 1980s and manages a catering firm.

The businessman's legal team had two weeks to lodge its intention to appeal against the decision, but left it until just before the deadline last night.

La Torre has been accused of 20 crimes, including extortion, robbery and the production of counterfeit money and fake identification papers.