French National Extradited from Italy to Andorra Appeals Fraud Imprisonment

A 57-year-old French national extradited from Italy to Andorra on Tuesday afternoon will appeal his imprisonment on charges of qualified fraud. He denies at least part of the allegations.

Authorities in Italy handed him over following an international arrest warrant issued by the Batllia and circulated via Interpol. He had been detained there since November and held in preventive custody. Andorran police from the National Central Office of Interpol and the Technical Intervention Unit coordinated the transfer with Italian authorities.

The case dates to 2022. At the time, the man was the sole administrator of an Andorran company focused on commercial intermediation and food product distribution. A Spanish meat wholesaler, specializing in hams, accused him of defrauding it of around €75,000. He allegedly linked the Spanish firm with a French company from his client portfolio, facilitating three deliveries of goods. The Spanish company reportedly received no payment and lost contact with him afterward.

Police from the Crimes Against Property Group investigated after the complaint. Although the man no longer resided or worked in Andorra, and the goods never passed through the Principality, jurisdiction applied due to his former company. They identified him, judicialized the case, and secured the international warrant.

On arrival Tuesday, the duty magistrate did not accept him immediately, requiring him to spend the night in police facilities. He appeared at the Palace of Justice on Wednesday. No fast-track plea was offered. A conviction could bring one to five years in prison.

His appeal argues the detention is excessive. He has spent nearly six months imprisoned in Italy—time creditable against any Andorran sentence. Sources indicate an additional six-month reduction may apply due to a pardon linked to Josep-Lluís Serrano's designation as Episcopal Co-Prince, before the offense. He thus considers any remaining time effectively served, potentially allowing release from La Comella.