With reference to the article ‘Australians chased by anti-Mafia investigators’, in the Age of 22 March 2006, that four Australians are allegedly under investigation by Italian authorities for organised crime-related activities:

(1)   Is the matter currently under investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP); if so: (a) when and by whom was it brought to the attention of the AFP; (b) on what date did the investigation commence; and (c) what is the current status of the investigation

(2)   Has an extradition request been received by the AFP in respect of the four individuals mentioned in the article; if so: (a) on what date was the request received; and (b) what action was taken upon receipt of the request and on what date was that action taken.

(3)   Has the matter been referred by the AFP to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) for prosecution or has a brief been referred to the CDPP for consideration of a prosecution; if so: (a) on what date was the brief forwarded to the CDPP; and (b) to the AFP’s knowledge, what action has been taken by the CDPP in respect of this matter.

(1)   For operational reasons, the AFP does not routinely disclose whether or not a matter is under investigation.

(2)   No. The AFP does not receive extradition requests directly. Matters concerning extradition requests should be referred to the Attorney-General’s Department. See the response to Question 1642

(3)   See the response to Question 1641 and 1642.