Abducted children want to go back home written by MaltaMedia News - 5 Mar, 2002
The lawyer of the mother of the two American children who were brought to Malta after being abducted by their father claims that the children are eager to go back to the United States and resume with their normal lives.

"The kids are extremely happy to be with their mother and have expressed a willingness to return to normal life in the US," said Dr. Aron Mifsud Bonnici, the counsel to Monique Grecula.

A court presided by Justice Raymond C. Pace last week awarded sole custody to Mrs Grecula after she had successfully filed an application for provisional care and custody. The mother claims that her ex-husband, Ronald Grecula had violated the terms of a custody order for the children - 10-year-old Berenger and three-year-old Emilie - issued by a Pennsylvania Court on the 26th of October 2000. She says that Mr. Grecula fled the United States with the children the following November. The US Court has since revoked his access rights and has found the father to be in contempt of court.

Monique Grecula's lawyer says that the mother spent months in the dark about her children's fate. "In the 15 months since, he never contacted my client again... He never gave her any indication as to the whereabouts and well-being of her 2 and 10-year old children," Dr. Mifsud Bonnici said.

Mrs Grecula claims that her husband is a fugitive in the United States. An FBI warrant for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution was issued for Ronald Allen Grecula on December 19, 2000.

The Times on Tuesday printed a report on Mr. Grecula's version of facts according to the please he filed in court. He claims that he was the Court had given him only one-and-a-half hours to file his note of pleas before awarding temporary custody to his wife.

Furthermore, he claims that the claims of his wife in court were made up of inflated accusations and half truths. He also pledged to regularise his position with the U.S. authorities.

Justice Raymond C. Pace will give a final ruling on the case on Wednesday.