The National Supreme Court has approved the extradition of Vittorio Satin to Italy. Satin, seen as a senior figure within the Calabrian Mafia group known as the Ndrangheta, was apprehended in Castelldefels, near Barcelona, in June and was moved to Barcelona’s main airport for transfer to Italian authorities.
According to reports confirmed to Efe by people close to the case, the National Police handed Satin over to the authorities at Prat airport in Barcelona after the decision by judge Joaquín Gadea of the National Supreme Court to authorize the delivery. Satin’s handover is part of a broader European effort that has already led to four extradition requests under the European Arrest Warrant framework, with three accepted by Italian authorities on the grounds that there were no legal grounds to reject them.
The charges against Satin include drug trafficking, fraud or extortion, and a separate case concerns a sentence exceeding 17 years in prison for offenses linked to public health or involvement with a criminal organization. The first charge traces back to October 2020, when Satin was seized in Barcelona on allegations of extortion as a suspected Italian national living abroad. He was released after a court appearance, only to face expanded allegations shortly afterward describing involvement with a criminal organization, drug trafficking, and extortion.
Two hours after his release, a supplementary report detailing more serious crimes—still tied to Italian requests—arrived at the court, at which Satin had just appeared for the initial hearing. Local authorities later detained him when it was discovered he possessed false documents. After fingerprint verification and confirmation of various prerequisites, Satin was taken into custody and ultimately sent to prison in Spain as part of the extradition process.
Satin had argued against extradition, claiming ties to Spain that indicated he had established roots there. The judge highlighted, however, that the documented handover records indicated Satin’s deliberate avoidance, noting a period described as a deliberate seizure of freedom that dated back to the time of the request. The judge described the situation as one of provoked inhibition that prevented Satin from being cited as a valid reason for refusal or a condition of surrender.
Within the Ndrangheta network, Satin is considered a significant member believed to occupy a role akin to a spokesperson or facilitator, involved in various criminal activities. He is reported to have held influence within the organization, which is known for its money flows and operation through violence. The extradition underscores Europe-wide efforts to dismantle the group by targeting individuals who facilitate and direct illicit activity.
One of the central European warrants focuses on events from 2016, during which the Ndrangheta allegedly used coercion and violence to compel victims. The group is accused of extracting a 10 percent monthly interest from loans extended to victims, amounting to tens of thousands of euros in some cases. The ongoing extradition case highlights the complex cross-border challenge of prosecuting organized crime and the importance of coordinated legal actions across nations.