An American fugitive, who is accused of feigning his own death to evade a rape charge in Utah, has been deemed eligible for extradition to the United States by a judge in Scotland. The judge, Norman McFadyen, dismissed the man’s claims of mistaken identity as “implausible” and “fanciful.” The fugitive, who goes by the name Nicholas Rossi in Scotland, has vigorously contested his return to the US since his arrest in December 2021 while receiving treatment for COVID-19 at a Glasgow hospital. Despite appearing in court and giving multiple television interviews, Rossi, who uses a wheelchair and an oxygen mask, has maintained that he is an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight and has never been to the US. However, judge McFadyen had previously stated that the man’s fingerprints and tattoos conclusively established his true identity as Rossi.
The decision made by the judge will now be reviewed by Scottish government ministers to determine whether an extradition order should be issued. US authorities have identified Rossi as one of the aliases used by the 35-year-old fugitive, whose legal name is Nicholas Alahverdian. Alahverdian is wanted on a 2008 rape charge in Utah, where he is accused of sexually assaulting a former girlfriend. Utah County Attorney David Leavitt has revealed that Alahverdian also faces allegations of abusing and threatening women in other states. Additionally, Alahverdian is wanted in Rhode Island for failing to register as a sex offender. The FBI has indicated that he faces fraud charges in Ohio, where he was previously convicted of sex-related offenses.
Alahverdian, who grew up in Rhode Island, has been an outspoken critic of the state’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families. He has testified before state lawmakers, alleging that he was subjected to sexual abuse and torture while in foster care. Three years ago, he made media headlines by claiming to be suffering from late-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma and having only weeks to live. An obituary published online even announced his death on February 29, 2020. However, doubts surrounding his supposed demise emerged when Rhode Island state police, along with his former lawyer and foster family, questioned the veracity of his claims.
During the legal proceedings, Rossi dismissed six lawyers and attempted unsuccessfully to have his latest attorney, Mungo Bovey, removed from the case. Bovey argued that extraditing Rossi would represent a “flagrant breach” of his human rights. In a video link from jail, the man known as Rossi in UK courts appeared doubled over and claimed to be ill, but refused to answer if he was indeed Rossi when asked. The judge noted that he had appeared voluntarily, but Rossi erupted in anger, accusing the guards of using physical force to make him participate and describing the sheriff as “a disgrace to justice.” The prosecutor stated that Alahverdian does not suffer from any condition that would prevent his extradition.
During a hearing in June, Alahverdian asserted that the muscles in his legs had significantly weakened, requiring him to use a wheelchair and rendering him unable to raise his arms above his head. However, psychiatrists who examined him found no indications of acute mental illness, and a doctor questioned the necessity of a wheelchair, pointing out that his legs were strong and athletic. Dr. Barbara Mundweil even mentioned seeing video footage of Alahverdian kicking a prison officer in the face.
In conclusion, the judge’s ruling has determined that the American fugitive, Nicholas Rossi, can be extradited to the US to face the rape charges against him. His claims of mistaken identity have been dismissed, and the Scottish government will now review the decision to determine the next steps.
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