UK Citizens Extradition Fight

A BRITISH student who is wanted by the Greek authorities over a manslaughter allegation was not present when a Welsh teenager suffered fatal injuries, his father said today.

Andrew Symeou, 19, is wanted for questioning over the death of Jonathon Hiles, 18, who suffered head injuries when he fell from a podium at a nightclub on the island of Zakynthos in July last year.

The Bournemouth University student was arrested last month after a European arrest warrant was issued by Greek authorities and a hearing today was due to decide if he would be handed over to face questioning.

After the decision was delayed, his father Frank Symeou said: “No one has even asked Andrew where he was on the night of the incident. Greek police want to extradite him but have not yet asked him ’Where were you that night?’

“He wasn’t there. There was a group of eight boys that went on holiday together. None of them were there at the time.

“The incident was at 1.10am and they didn’t get there until about 4am.”

Mr Hiles, from Llandaff North, Cardiff, fell from a podium at Rescue nightclub, on the island also known as Zante, on July 20 last year. It is alleged that he was pushed.

The talented roller hockey player was taken to hospital in Athens, where he died on July 22.

Frank Symeou said: “No evidence of the alleged offence has been presented to a British court.

“The accuser does not have to demonstrate that there is a proper case to answer provided that the European warrant has been correctly completed.

“The accused person can be sent to a foreign country without a British court being satisfied that justice is being done.

“Anyone can be extradited without anyone considering whether there is sufficient evidence to go to trial.”

He said prima facie evidence should be required before extradition could be granted.

Speaking outside City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court which today adjourned the extradition decision until August 12, Symeou’s father said he was relieved.

“It’s one step at a time. It gives us enough time to try to put a case together.

“We want a hearing held in England, in English not Greek, where we trust the system and we trust the police.”

During today’s short hearing, John Jones, representing Symeou, said Greek police had obtained witness statements using force and he believed Symeou could not expect fair treatment if he was extradited.

Symeou did not speak to reporters but looked tearful as he hugged family and friends outside the court.

Around 30 people carried banners opposing extradition which they held up outside the court.

The slogans read: No to EU extradition; Justice for Andrew and Jonathon; British accused, British victim, British witnesses, British justice.

Symeou’s solicitor, John Tipple, said after the hearing: “For justice to be done it needs to be done here.”

He said Symeou is third generation Greek Cypriot but spoke little Greek.

Symeou, who was arrested on June 26, was remanded on bail until August 12 on condition he resides at the family home. His mother pledged surety of £20,000.

His passport was seized by police.

Mr Hiles represented the Great Britain roller hockey team at various age groups and also played ice hockey for Cardiff Devils’ junior team.

The Symeou family is being supported by Ukip MEP Gerard Batten who added: “If I was the family of the boy who was killed, I would want to see justice done.

“I would want the right person charged and the right person tried.”

He called for the European arrest warrant to be “scrapped”, adding: “This means the British courts can’t protect a British person.”