Authorities in Italy have stopped Raffaele Sollecito who was convicted on Thursday with Amanda Knox his former girlfriend for the murder of Knox’s former roommate Meredith Kercher.
Sollecito, who cannot leave Italy while his legal process is ongoing, was stopped in Udine. The city is only 20 miles from the border of Slovenia and 55 miles from the border of Austria.
A court of appeals in Florence convicted Knox and Sollecito Thursday night. Knox was convicted in absentia, as she did not return for the trial.
Prosecutors claimed the couple had killed the British student in November of 2007. Sollecito received a sentence of 25 years and Knox, who was also found guilty of slander, was given a sentence of 28½ years.
The conviction of Knox has raised new questions. Both have denied the murder and both are free to appeal.
Kercher was found in the home she shared with the American Knox. The British student was partially nude when found.
Despite there being courtroom battles for years over Kercher’s death, many issues remain unexplained.
Kercher’s brother and sisters said on Friday that they might not ever found out exactly what took place the night their sister died.
Kercher’s brother Lyle said the family might have to wait until 2015 for its final resolution since the Thursday verdicts can be appealed all the way to the Supreme Court of Italy.
If Italy’s Supreme Court were to uphold the verdicts, Italian authorities might make a request for extradition so Knox would have to serve her term in Italy.
Sollecito and Knox were convicted the first time back in 2009, but had their charges overturned in 2011 on appeal. The two were freed after spending nearly 4 years behind bars.
However, last March, the Supreme Court in Italy overturned the acquittals of both, which led to the recent retrial resulting in their convictions on Thursday.
Know said from her Seattle, Washington home that she was both saddened and frightened by the new conviction.
Knox’s attorney said his client would appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court in Italy. He also said any thought of an extradition should not even be mentioned at this point in the case.
