Fugitive rape suspect who allegedly faked his own death faces new sexual assault charges UK News

An alleged fugitive wanted in Britain over a rape allegation has US authorities claiming he faked his death to escape sex charges.

International law enforcement agencies are trying to extradite Nicolas Rossi from Scotland, He was arrested in 2021 on an Interpol warrant While being treated on a COVID-19 ward.

The 35-year-old is wanted by US police on serious sex crime charges.

Detectives in England have now confirmed to Sky News they also want to question Mr Rossi over another rape allegation in Essex.

Back in November, Arthur Knight, man arrested in COVID ward, is in fact Nicholas Rossi, magistrate rules for first time in Scottish courtan American rape suspect who faked his own death.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We are now liaising with the Scottish authorities to facilitate an interview with the man in relation to the Chelmsford rape allegation lodged with us in April 2022.”

Mr Rossi has been trying to use a string of false aliases, including that of Arthur Knight, an Irish orphan he claims has never set foot in the US.

He also used Nicholas Alahverdian and Nicholas Alahverdian Rossi and is wanted in connection with a 2008 sexual assault in Utah and a 2018 assault in Ohio.

The 35-year-old said he had tattooed himself while comatose in a Glasgow hospital in order to raise suspicions that his body art matched exactly that on an Interpol Red Notice.

He has tried and failed to convince the court that he was an innocent victim who had been misidentified, meaning Mr Rossi faces full extradition hearings in January and March.

However, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) said the alleged offenses in the UK had to be dealt with first, meaning his extradition could be delayed.

If Mr Rossi is charged in Essex, his extradition to the US will be suspended.

A spokesman for SCTS said: “Under Section 76A(2) of the Extradition Act, extradition must wait until the conclusion of domestic affairs.”