Courts / Ireland / Report
Notorious hitman to be extradited to Lithuania over murder of pop star's lover
Summary
Imre Arakas, 63, a former Estonian Defence League member, is to be extradited to Lithuania to face a murder charge for the 2015 shooting of Deimantas Bugavicius, the lover of Lithuanian pop star Vita Jakutiene. The High Court ruled that the Lithuanian warrant was clear and that the alleged offences – murder, possession of firearms and criminal damage – were not inconsistent with Irish law. Arakas, who has previously served a six‑year sentence in Ireland for conspiracy to murder James 'Mago' Gately, denied any role in the Bugavicius shooting, claiming he was in Spain at the time. He has been remanded pending extradition and may appeal the surrender order, which will take effect 15 days after the judgment. The court noted that the Lithuanian authorities had not changed the legal basis of the charges, only the narrative of his alleged involvement. The extradition will allow Lithuania to try Arakas for the alleged murder and related offences. Imre Arakas pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Notorious hitman to be extradited to Lithuania over murder of pop star'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 Adjournment
- April 3 Adjournment
- April 3, 2017 Other
- April 2017 Other
- 2022-11-07 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
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 sporting a long beard and long, grey hair, was previously 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.; He has since completed that sentence and was today remanded in custody pending his extradition.
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Special Criminal Court
Topics
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