Alleged Kimberley sex offender Charles Batham to be extradited from Italy nine years after fleeing country
Alleged child sex offender Charles Batham is set to be extradited from Italy to face court in Western Australia after Italian authorities approved a request from the Australian Government.
Mr Batham fled Australia in 2011 after being charged with 31 child sex offences in the northern tourist town of Broome.
After nine years on Interpol's Red Notice list, the 76-year-old was arrested in March this year in a coastal resort town in Italy after an ABC investigation published in February resulted in a string of reported sightings and tip-offs.
The Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department has confirmed its extradition request had been approved.
"Australia is seeking Mr Batham's extradition from Italy for prosecution in Western Australia for alleged child sexual offences," it said in a statement.
"We have been informed that Italy has approved his extradition.
"Australian authorities will work with Italian authorities to make arrangements for his surrender … [while] Mr Batham remains in extradition custody in Italy."
Italian authorities swooped on Mr Batham in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and there were concerns international travel restrictions would delay his return to Australia.
But the ABC understands detectives from the WA Police Force are hoping to travel to Italy before the end of the year to escort the Englishman to Perth.
It is not clear whether the charges will be heard in the Broome Magistrates Court or if the case will be relocated to Perth.
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https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-07/alleged-kimberley-sex-offender-to-be-extradited-from-italy/12736616