But ever since news of the arrest broke there have been serious doubts over the man’s identity, and some of Mered’s victims say the wrong man has been detained. The majority of the 23 were Eritrean and were detained in Rome, Palermo and the central city of Macerata. Related: Smuggler's victims say police have arrested innocent refugeeAs the arrests were made on Monday, a separate trial got under way in Palermo of an alleged people smuggler who was extradited to Sicily last month. An Italian thought to be in charge of moving migrants from Rome to northern Europe was also among those arrested, and police were seeking 15 other suspects. The case was adjourned on Monday until 21 July and the suspect will remain in custody until the next hearing.

Source: The Guardian July 04, 2016 15:44 UTC