Cyprus extradition decision wait

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Two men from Essex jailed for three years in their absence for the killing of a man in Cyprus have been told they must wait for an extradition decision.

Luke Atkinson, 23, and cousin Michael Binnington, 22, of Witham, were initially cleared of blame over the death of Christos Papiris, 17.

After subsequent conviction by an appeal court without retrial they have been served European arrest warrants.

The pair are to reappear before Westminster Magistrates on 7 August.

Christos died in August 2006 when his moped was hit by a car between Ayia Napa and Protaras.

'Justice denied'

In April, Cyprus' supreme court overturned the acquittal decision made in February last year and convicted the pair of conspiracy to manslaughter.

Their uncle, Julian Harrington, had been jailed for 15 years after admitting manslaughter following the crash.

Richard Howitt MEP said he would fight any extradition order and that he would use the European Convention on Human Rights to do so.

"The crux of our case is that by being tried in their absence, without their knowledge, European standards of justice have been violated," Mr Howitt said.

"I only hope that justice will be delivered by the British courts where it has been denied by the Cypriot courts.

"In the meantime the ordeal continues for the boys and their families and my support goes out to them at this time."