Eritrean Man Arrested In Sudan Accused Human Trafficking; Extradited To Italy

An Eritrean man arrested in Sudan is now being extradited to Italy. He is accused of smuggling people that has led to the deaths of hundreds of Africans who tried crossing the Mediterranean Sea, which has become one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.

According to officials, the extensive people-smuggling network was responsible for the 359 deaths when a vessel capsized off the Italian island of Lampedusa in 2013.

The man has been identified as Medhanie Yehdego by Italian authorities, but the information has yet to be independently confirmed.

The 35-year-old was seized in Sudanese capital Khartoum on May 24. On Tuesday night he was taken to Rome.

Meanwhile, Eritrean activist has raised doubts about the identity of the man.

The crime agency said Sudanese police carried out the arrest after the man was tracked by British authorities to an address in the El Diem area of Khartoum.

Based on the telephone interceptions the Italian authorities confirm the man has been organizing regular journeys across the Mediterranean.

In one of the recorded conversations he has been heard laughing too about the fatal overloading of migrant ships.

Prosecutors said the man was recorded saying to have a brother in Netherlands, and a wife and son in Sweden. After making enough money he will join them.