Student to be extradited for murder trial in Greece

A British student accused of a nightclub killing in Greece will be extradited from the UK to stand trial.

Andrew Symeou, 20, of Enfield, north London, yesterday lost a High Court battle against his extradition.

He had argued the case against him was based on evidence “fabricated, tainted and manipulated” by Greek police, who had ill-treated witnesses.

But two judges ruled that the extradition, which is being sought by the Greek authorities under a European Arrest Warrant (EAW), must go ahead.

Lord Justice Laws and Mr Justice Ouseley, sitting in London, said it was for the Greek courts to assess the quality and validity of the evidence.

They said in a joint written judgment there was “no sound evidence” that Mr Symeou’s human rights would be breached – “even if there is evidence that some police do sometimes inflict such treatment on those in detention”. “Regrettably, that is a sometime feature of police behaviour in all EU countries.”

Mr Symeou faces trial accused of punching roller hockey player Jonathon Hiles, 18, of Llandaff North, Cardiff, hard in the face, causing him to lose consciousness and fall off a dance podium at the Rescue nightclub in Zante (Zakynthos) while on holiday in July 2007.

Mr Hiles suffered a severe brain injury and died two days later from his injuries. Mr Symeou denies manslaughter and all knowledge of the incident.

His family fears he wrongly faces months in a Greek jail awaiting trial.

They are now planning a further appeal to the House of Lords.