Courts / Ireland / Report
Lithuania wants to prosecute notorious international hitman on other charges
Summary
The High Court has adjourned proceedings concerning Imre Arakas, a 63-year-old Estonian national currently in Lithuania, who is seeking to instruct legal representation. The Minister for Justice informed Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo that Lithuania requested to prosecute Arakas for offences other than those for which he was surrendered under a European Arrest Warrant. Arakas was previously extradited to face trial for the alleged murder of Deimantas Bugavicius in November 2015, along with firearms and conspiracy charges. While an eyewitness stated Arakas was not present at the scene, Lithuanian authorities allege he conspired in the killing. Arakas, who told gardai he was in Spain during the relevant dates, has a prior conviction in Ireland. In December 2018, the Special Criminal Court jailed him for six years after he admitted conspiring to murder James 'Mago' Gately in Northern Ireland in 2017. The court noted a 30-day time restraint for the new prosecution request. Ms Aoife O'Leary BL, who previously represented Arakas, stated she lacked instructions to act on the current matter and was unsure if he wished to engage Ferrys Solicitors. The judge agreed to adjourn the case for one week to allow the respondent to instruct a firm of solicitors, ensuring his interests are represented.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Lithuania wants to prosecute notorious international hitman on other charges. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 2015 Incident
- December 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 3 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 3, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-06-19 Publication
Case subjects
Respondent
Outcome: An eyewitness to the murder of the pop star's lover had 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. The ex-wrestler was jailed by the Special Criminal Court here for six years in December 2018, after he admitted to conspiring with others to murder James 'Mago' Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017.
Places mentioned
- The High Court
- High Court
- Special Criminal Court
- The Special Criminal Court
Topics
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