Italian magistrates interviewed the suspect for the first time on Friday in front of his lawyer. However, when images of the man were published, friends and family said he was an Eritrean refugee named Medhanie Tesfamariam Berhe. An Eritrean extradited to Italy from Sudan this week and accused of being a people smuggler has denied the allegation and says he is the victim of mistaken identity, his lawyer said on Friday. Italian and British officials announced on Wednesday they had secured the arrest of Medhane Yehdego Mered, an alleged trafficking kingpin. However, Italian authorities did not have any access to him in Sudan following his arrest on May 24, the source said.

Source: The Star June 10, 2016 11:37 UTC