US seeking extradition of German from Malta on child porn distribution charges

A German national, Reuben Rudtke, has started undergoing extradition proceedings for the alleged distribution of child pornography. The man was arrested in Malta recently and is wanted in the United States. Dr Donatella Frendo Dimech, deputy attorney general, told a court that the man was arrested in October 2011 in the United States and ordered to wear a tracking device. Some three days before he was due to stand trial, he threw the device away, went to Germany and came to Malta where he has been joined by his wife. His parents also live here. Dr Frendo Dimech said that paperwork known as the 'authority to proceed' and other documents have still not been received from the United States. Lawyers Lucio Schriha and Abigail Bugeja filed an application for bail, saying Mr Rudtke has ties in Malta and will not abscond. Dr Frendo Dimech said he had left the US before his trial and she strongly objected to bail. Magistrate Neville Camilleri postponed the decision, which will later be given in camera. Mr Rudtke will be kept under arrest.