Courts / Ireland / Report
Notorious hitman alleged to have been mercenary for gang involved in murder of popstar's lover
Summary
Imre Arakas, a 64-year-old Estonian national, appeared before the High Court to challenge his extradition to Lithuania, where he is alleged to have acted as a mercenary in the 2015 murder of Deimantas Bugavicius. Lithuanian authorities allege Arakas supplied two nine-millimetre handguns, clothing, and chemical cleaning substances to a three-man gang in Kaunas, while also engaging in surveillance and route planning. Arakas's legal team, led by Remy Farrell SC, opposed the surrender, arguing that Lithuanian authorities had "changed the narrative" regarding his specific role and that no formal charge had been properly established. They noted an eyewitness claimed Arakas was not present at the scene and that he provided an alibi placing him in Spain during the incident. The State, represented by Siobhán Ní Chúlacháinn BL, maintained that the legal basis for the European Arrest Warrant remained unchanged, asserting Arakas was part of an organised group acting for mercenary reasons. Mr Justice Paul Burns heard the arguments and indicated he hoped to deliver a judgement by November 7. Separately, Arakas was previously sentenced by the Special Criminal Court in December 2018. He pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to murder James 'Mago' Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017. Mr Justice Tony Hunt jailed him for six years, noting Arakas had agreed to pull the trigger for financial gain under contract from the Kinahan crime gang. Arakas has been in custody in Ireland since April 2017.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Notorious hitman alleged to have been mercenary for gang involved in murder of popstar's lover. Charges or matters: conspiring with others to murder Mr Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 3 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 7 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 3, 2017 Other
- April 2017 Other
- 2022-10-10 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: conspiring with others to murder Mr Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: An eyewitness to the murder of the pop star's lover has said that the hitman, who has also been jailed here for his role in a Kinahan cartel murder plot, was not present at the scene. Arakas, who appeared in the court today with a long beard and pony-tail, was jailed by the non-jury Special Criminal Court after he pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to murder Mr Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017.
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Special Criminal Court
Topics
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