Nicholas Rossi to learn extradition fate as appeal judges set to issue decision

Appeal judges are expected to rule on Thursday whether Nicholas Rossi’s bid to avoid extradition to the United States has been successful.

The 36-year-old lodged an appeal against the extradition order earlier this year with the High Court, which was heard in Edinburgh last week.

A decision on Rossi’s appeal is expected to be issued in writing later on Thursday.

He is wanted by authorities in Utah for allegedly raping a woman in 2008 and is accused of faking his own death to avoid prosecution.

Scottish ministers signed an order in September giving permission for Rossi to be extradited to the US to face charges, following a lengthy extradition case in the Scottish courts.

Representing himself in court last Thursday, Rossi moved a number of preliminary motions, including one calling for an extension to his appeal period to allow him more time to lead new evidence.

He also moved to be granted bail, and to have the court impose restrictions on the media reporting of his case.

Rossi initially came to the attention of the authorities after he became ill with Covid-19 and was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow in December 2021.

Despite a sheriff ruling that he is Rossi, he claims he is a victim of mistaken identity and is an Irish orphan called Arthur Knight.

Rossi again argued in court that he was the subject of mistaken identity and objected to lawyers referring to him by that name, which drew a rebuke from Lady Dorrian.

She reminded Rossi that his identity had already been established through earlier court proceedings and insisted this is the name she will use to address him during the appeal hearing.

Lady Dorrian, sitting alongside Lord Malcolm and Lord Armstrong, also rejected each of Rossi’s preliminary motions, stating it is not the High Court’s place to hear fresh evidence in the case and it is also not in a position to grant bail.

Asked to provide a submission backing his appeal against extradition, Rossi said he had been previously ill-served by legal representatives and this led to him losing his earlier court case.