'Malaya' corruption councillor on run 11 years gives himself up

Carlos Fernández has been under an international arrest warrant since 2006 when the massive embezzlement and money-laundering case involving local politicians in the Costa del Sol town first hit the headlines.

He is said to have turned himself in to the police in an undisclosed country outside of Europe, according to his brother, solicitor Antonio Fernández, in order to be extradited to Spain for trial.

This said, Marbella's Court of First Instance number 5, which dealt with the 'Malaya Case' a decade ago says it has had no communication about Carlos' having turned himself in.

Even though he has given himself up, Carlos is thought to be intending to apply for absolution based upon the charges against him having expired under Spain's statute of limitations.

His brother says this move was 'the only way' of finding out how the land lie, given that Carlos Fernández did not appear in court for the original trial.

Antonio insists his brother is innocent.

Carlos, whose charges include a two-year prison sentence for embezzlement, made a phone call to his legal representatives when the second phase of the Malaya trial went to court, saying he was currently undertaking the Camino de Santiago pilgrims' route in Galicia but would return if he was called up.

However, he never appeared when he was summoned.