Mon Sep 09 15:48:16 UTC 2024: ## Canadian Fugitive Extradited to Canada After Year-Long Manhunt in Italy
**Halifax, NS** – Bassam Al-Rawi, a Canadian fugitive who fled a sexual assault conviction in Nova Scotia, has been returned to Canada to serve the remainder of his two-year sentence. Al-Rawi was arrested in Italy in September 2022 while on a family vacation in the San Martino Buon Albergo region of Verona.
The former taxi driver had been convicted in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in 2020 for sexually assaulting a woman he picked up in his cab eight years prior. Despite serving only a couple of months of his sentence due to his release on conditions while appealing the conviction, Al-Rawi ultimately fled to Montreal and then Iraq with his family after his appeal was denied.
Al-Rawi spent the last year fighting extradition from Italy, but the Italian Court of Appeal ultimately rejected his efforts. He was returned to Canada on September 5th, 2023, a year after his initial arrest.
Crown prosecutor Jennifer MacLellan highlighted the importance of respecting bail conditions, stating, “If you are so fortunate as to be released on bail, that you have to abide by those conditions and if you don’t abide by those conditions and you do flee, then you will be sought.”
This extradition marks a significant achievement for the Public Prosecution Service of Nova Scotia, who have worked tirelessly to bring Al-Rawi back to face justice.
Al-Rawi’s conviction in 2020 was not his first encounter with sexual assault charges. He was acquitted in a previous case twice, sparking controversy with a judge’s comment regarding a drunk person’s ability to consent.
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