Courts / Dublin / Report
Cartel hitman's bid to halt extradition over murder of pop star's lover may go ahead next month
Summary
Imre Arakas, 62, an Estonian hitman jailed by the Special Criminal Court for six years in December 2018, is set to file a bid to halt his surrender to Lithuania on March 23. He was convicted for conspiring to murder James Gately in Northern Ireland on 3–4 April 2017, a plot carried out by the Kinahan cartel. Lithuanian authorities seek his extradition over the murder of a man who had an affair with pop star Vita Jakutiene, along with firearms, conspiracy and criminal damage charges. Arakas was arrested in Dublin in February 2018 under a European Arrest Warrant issued by Lithuania. His extradition hearing is scheduled for March 23, but the High Court may defer it pending the outcome of an appeal in a separate extradition case involving Liam Campbell. The hearing is expected to last a full day. The case is listed for mention on March 15. Imre Arakas pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Cartel hitman's bid to halt extradition over murder of pop star's lover may go ahead next month. Charges or matters: conspiring with others to murder Mr Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- December 2018 Incident
- April 3 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 23 Adjournment
- February 2018 Incident
- March 15 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2029 Adjournment
- April 3, 2017 Other
- April 2017 Other
- 2021-02-01 Publication
Why: Arakas appeared today via video-link from Portlaoise Prison before High Court judge Mr Justice Paul Burns in order to fix a date for his hearing. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: conspiring with others to murder Mr Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Imre Arakas (62) was jailed by the Special Criminal Court for six years in December 2018 after he admitted to conspiring with others to murder James Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017. However, Arakas was jailed by the non-jury Special Criminal Court for six years in December 2018 after he pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to murder Mr Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017.; Arakas, a former freedom fighter who was previously part of a movement to separate Estonia from the former USSR, was remanded in custody until March 23.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- High Court
- Court of Appeal
- Portlaoise
- Portlaoise Prison
Topics
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