In February 2022, Edinburgh Sheriff Court became the stage for Nicholas Rossi, who insisted on being called Arthur Knight, as he sought to avoid extradition to the US on rape charges. Seated in an electric wheelchair and donning a three-piece suit topped with a wide-brimmed hat, Rossi claimed he was a victim of mistaken identity, introducing himself with a raspy voice aided by an oxygen mask as he grabbed reporters’ business cards.
This eccentric scene was characteristic of Rossi's unique style, which included comedic misadventures, like tipping his wheelchair while trying to enter a taxi. Our interactions began with a curious phone call from "Arthur," revealing the complexity of unraveling his many claims—an endeavor I'm exploring through a new podcast series entitled Strange But True Crime on BBC Sounds.
Rossi first attracted attention in December 2021, when he was arrested in a Glasgow hospital—his identity discovered by staff who recognized his face from an Interpol wanted notice. However, he vehemently denied being Nicholas Rossi and asserted he was Arthur Knight, an Irish orphan. His narrative was captivating but lacked substantiation, particularly since he could not provide necessary identifying documents, such as a birth certificate or passport.
Rossi's tale of growing up in care in Dublin and selling books at Camden Market was both chaotic and vague. His claims of survival during the London Tube bombing and meeting the fictional character Del Boy were questionable at best. As I probed deeper, the details began to uncover Rossi's prior life as Nicholas Alahverdian, a convicted sex offender who had been active in child welfare advocacy, leading to his downfall when a 2020 obituary falsely announced his death.
Despite various pretenses, the truth began to unravel for Rossi. Following his arrest, he attempted to delay extradition with theatrical courtroom monologues and bizarre claims, like being tattooed while in a coma. The Scottish judge dismissed his arguments, asserting that Rossi's identity deception was implausible.
Despite these findings and an approved extradition to the US, Rossi clung to his alias until an unexpected revelation in an October bail hearing when he admitted to being Nicholas Alahverdian. He explained that he altered his identity due to alleged death threats, raising questions about the timing of this admission.
As the case progresses, farce has given way to a more serious narrative with Rossi facing two rape trials beginning this August. Denying all charges, the court proceedings cast a spotlight on the intricacies and tragic undercurrents of a life veiled in deception.
This eccentric scene was characteristic of Rossi's unique style, which included comedic misadventures, like tipping his wheelchair while trying to enter a taxi. Our interactions began with a curious phone call from "Arthur," revealing the complexity of unraveling his many claims—an endeavor I'm exploring through a new podcast series entitled Strange But True Crime on BBC Sounds.
Rossi first attracted attention in December 2021, when he was arrested in a Glasgow hospital—his identity discovered by staff who recognized his face from an Interpol wanted notice. However, he vehemently denied being Nicholas Rossi and asserted he was Arthur Knight, an Irish orphan. His narrative was captivating but lacked substantiation, particularly since he could not provide necessary identifying documents, such as a birth certificate or passport.
Rossi's tale of growing up in care in Dublin and selling books at Camden Market was both chaotic and vague. His claims of survival during the London Tube bombing and meeting the fictional character Del Boy were questionable at best. As I probed deeper, the details began to uncover Rossi's prior life as Nicholas Alahverdian, a convicted sex offender who had been active in child welfare advocacy, leading to his downfall when a 2020 obituary falsely announced his death.
Despite various pretenses, the truth began to unravel for Rossi. Following his arrest, he attempted to delay extradition with theatrical courtroom monologues and bizarre claims, like being tattooed while in a coma. The Scottish judge dismissed his arguments, asserting that Rossi's identity deception was implausible.
Despite these findings and an approved extradition to the US, Rossi clung to his alias until an unexpected revelation in an October bail hearing when he admitted to being Nicholas Alahverdian. He explained that he altered his identity due to alleged death threats, raising questions about the timing of this admission.
As the case progresses, farce has given way to a more serious narrative with Rossi facing two rape trials beginning this August. Denying all charges, the court proceedings cast a spotlight on the intricacies and tragic undercurrents of a life veiled in deception.
