MONTREAL An alleged leader of the Sicilian Mafia, arrested this week in Montreal on Italian and German murder charges, is expected to face a quick extradition to Italy, Canadian immigration officials said on Friday.

Gaetano Amodeo, 48, was arrested on Tuesday after a warrant was issued in Canada. He will go before an extradition hearing on March 1.

"It could be settled on March 1 or take a few weeks," Immigration Department spokesman Robert Gervais told Reuters.

Gervais said Amodeo faces charges of murder and attempted murder in Italy, both dating from 1991. He said that Interpol had also reported one murder charge in Germany, dating from 1981.

Amodeo is allegedly linked to Sicilia's Cosa Nostra and is also on Interpol's list of 500 most dangerous fugitives.

"According to Canadian immigration law, it is illegal to stay in Canada if you have committed grave crimes abroad," Gervais said, stressing the government's case for extradition was strong.

The Canadian government said it only learned about Amodeo's criminal status a few weeks ago.

Immigration Minister Alfonso Gagliano, found himself in hot water on Friday after the Montreal newspaper ***La Presse*** reported that he wrote a letter last year inquiring about the immigration status of the reputed mobster's wife, Maria Sicurella.

Sicurella obtained permanent residency status a few months later.

Gagliano firmly denied allegations in Parliament that he had acted improperly in connection with the Amodeo case.

"Mr. Gagliano denies categorically having intervened directly or indirectly in the case of Mr. Gaetano Amodeo," he said in a statement faxed to Reuters.

Amodeo first came to Canada in 1996 and made a few trips to the United States afterward. He has not left Canada since May 1998. He has faced charges in Italy since 1999.

Amodeo will remain in jail until the extradition hearing.

(Reuter)