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Student loses extradition battle | Student loses extradition battle |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A London student accused of killing a teenager in a Greek nightclub has lost his High Court battle against plans to have him extradited. | |
Andrew Symeou, 20, from Enfield, north London, is accused of manslaughter, following the death of Jonathan Hiles. | Andrew Symeou, 20, from Enfield, north London, is accused of manslaughter, following the death of Jonathan Hiles. |
The 18-year-old from Llandaff North, Cardiff, died after being punched in a nightclub in Zakynthos in 2007. | The 18-year-old from Llandaff North, Cardiff, died after being punched in a nightclub in Zakynthos in 2007. |
Mr Symeou denies the charge and said he could prove his innocence but "it seems nobody wants to listen". | |
'Manufactured evidence' | |
His lawyers insist the case against him rests on "fabricated evidence". | |
Mr Symeou's father, Frank, said: "Andrew - as we all are - is devastated at the judgment handed down by the High Court judges today." | |
If I had never been born, what happened to Jonathan Hiles would still have happened Andrew Symeou | |
He added they would be appealing to the House of Lords and would "fight on". | |
The defence had asked the High Court to block his extradition, which was sought by the Greek authorities under a European Arrest Warrant (EAW). | The defence had asked the High Court to block his extradition, which was sought by the Greek authorities under a European Arrest Warrant (EAW). |
Mr Symeou said: "If I had never been born, what happened to Jonathan Hiles would still have happened. Our paths never crossed. | |
"The case against me has been manufactured and manipulated by the Zante police. | |
"They beat up two of my friends until they signed statements that were not true." | |
An order for the student's extradition was made by District Judge Quentin Purdy last October. | |
Fair trial | |
Edward Fitzgerald QC, who appeared for Mr Symeou, claimed the previous order failed to take into account the allegation that witnesses had been pressured into making statements. | |
He added Mr Symeou had not known of Mr Hiles' death until he returned to England. | |
However two of his friends had remained on the island and there was evidence they had been beaten while in custody, said Mr Fitzgerald. | |
But the Greek authorities argue Mr Symeou, a Bournemouth University student, will receive a fair trial in the country and that the Greek courts are the correct place to consider all the allegations being made. | |
Mr Hiles fell off a dance podium after losing consciousness when he was punched hard in the face, it is alleged. | |
He suffered a severe brain injury and died two days later from his injuries. | He suffered a severe brain injury and died two days later from his injuries. |
Liberty campaigns coordinator Sabina Frediani said: "No one should be sent anywhere, be it Europe, the US or elsewhere, without a case being made in a local court. | |
"British justice should not be circumvented in this way." |