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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Student loses extradition battle | Student loses extradition battle |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A London student accused of killing a teenager who died after an incident in a Greek nightclub has lost his High Court battle against extradition. | |
| 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 is now appealing to the House of Lords. He said he could prove his innocence. | |
| 'Manufactured evidence' | 'Manufactured evidence' |
| His lawyers insist the case against him rests on "fabricated 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." | 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 | If I had never been born, what happened to Jonathan Hiles would still have happened Andrew Symeou |
| 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. | 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. | "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." | "They beat up two of my friends until they signed statements that were not true." |
| "I am innocent and I can prove it, but it seems nobody wants to listen." | |
| An order for the student's extradition was made by District Judge Quentin Purdy last October. | An order for the student's extradition was made by District Judge Quentin Purdy last October. |
| Fair trial | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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." | "British justice should not be circumvented in this way." |