Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1525176
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 AUGUST 2024 4 INTERVIEW Parents of man waiting to be extradited to US: 'Let our son serve time in Malta' LUCIENNE and Chris Meli are pleading with the Maltese author- ities to use diplomacy so that their son can serve his sentence in Malta. The Melis' 27-year-old son, Daniel Joe Meli, is waiting to be extradited to the United States in connection with the sale of illegal malware on the dark web. Daniel was arrested last February in connection with the sale of illegal malware on the dark web. In an interview with MaltaToday, Daniel's parents speak of the shock they went through when their son was arrested. Their initial thoughts, they tell me, were that their son got into some minor trouble. But a day af- ter Daniel's arrest they were informed that the United States wanted him extradited. In court, Daniel's initial reaction was to accept the extradition, but his parents say given their son's mental health issues, he was in no position to make such a judgement. Attempts to appeal the decision bore no fruit and Daniel, who is in custody, will now be transferred to the US where he will stand trial. If found guilty on all counts, Daniel could be looking at 45 years in prison. Days before Daniel's transfer to the US, Lucienne and Chris are appealing to the Maltese authorities to apply diplomatic pressure so that if their son is jailed by the US court, he would be able to serve his sentence in Malta. Lucienne and Chris Meli were shocked when their son was arrested in February, only to be told a day later that he will be extradited to the US. The parents are now asking the authorities to intervene so that if their son is found guilty and sentenced to jail, he can serve his time in Malta. They speak to MATTHEW FARRUGIA.