Italy Orders Extradition of Rokia Traore to Belgium
Malian singer Rokia Traore, renowned for her contributions to African music and her role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, is set to be extradited to Belgium after Italy's highest court dismissed her appeal. This decision follows her arrest in Rome in June 2023, stemming from a contentious custody dispute with her ex-husband, a Belgian national.
Traore's lawyer, Maddalena del Re, expressed concerns over the fairness of the extradition process, stating, "Ruqayya has suffered injustice. She was arrested without being heard by the Belgian criminal court. Now the battle for her rights moves to Brussels." The Italian Court of Cassation's ruling aligns with a previous decision by the European Court of Justice, which favored her extradition.
Background of the Case
The singer was apprehended at Rome's Fiumicino airport under a European arrest warrant, which demanded that she surrender her daughter to her ex-husband. In October 2023, Traore was sentenced to two years in prison in Belgium related to the ongoing custody battle over her daughter, who currently resides in Mali. Her arrest occurred while she was in Italy to perform at a concert near the iconic Colosseum.
Traore's legal team argues that the Belgian judicial process violated Italian constitutional principles and international agreements, particularly since the conviction was rendered in her absence. This is not the first time Traore has faced legal challenges; she was previously arrested in France in 2020 on a Belgian warrant after failing to comply with a court order regarding her daughter.
Implications for Traore and Her Career
As one of Africa's most celebrated artists, Rokia Traore's extradition could have significant implications for her career and personal life. The singer's legal troubles have drawn attention to the complexities of international custody disputes, particularly those involving cross-border elements. The upcoming proceedings in Belgium will likely be closely monitored by her supporters and the international community, as they may influence the future of her music career and her role as an advocate for refugees.
