A fugitive who allegedly converted to Judaism in prison is set to be extradited to the US to face charges of rape, the Scottish Government has ruled. 

Nicholas Rossi, also known as Nicholas Alahverdian, is wanted by authorities in Utah for allegedly raping a woman in 2008. He also faces multiple complaints for alleged domestic violence in Rhode Island. He denies all allegations.

The 35-year-old has contested moves by authorities in the US to have him flown over to face legal proceedings. However, following a court ruling earlier this year, the Scottish Government signed an extradition order.

According to a freedom of information request, Scottish ministers said: "The Scottish ministers have made their decision regarding Mr Nicholas Rossi and signed an extradition order on September 28, 2023."

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Nicholas Rossi is currently being held at HMP Edinburgh (Photo: Getty)

At a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this year, Sheriff Norman McFadyen branded Rossi "as dishonest and deceitful as he is evasive and manipulative".

Rossi claims to be an Irish orphan called Arthur Knight, a victim of mistaken identity. The rape suspect was also accused of faking his own death to avoid prosecution.

He was arrested in Glasgow in 2021 in connection with the alleged offences in the US whilst being treated for Covid-19 at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Rossi claims to have converted to Judaism while in HMP Edinburgh, where he has been held since 2022.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: "We do not comment on individuals."

A spokeswoman for the US Embassy in London said they "do not comment on individual cases due to US privacy laws".