Student faces Greek trial over nightclub killing

A London student is set to be extradited to Greece where he faces charges of killing a fellow British tourist in a nightclub brawl.

The family of Andrew Symeou, 19, has spent months trying to prevent him being sent from the UK under the terms of an EU arrest warrant.

The student from Enfield is accused of landing the blow that led to Jon Hiles falling 6ft from a stage at a club in Laganas, on the holiday island of Zante, last year. Mr Hiles, 18, a semi-professional hockey player from Cardiff, suffered head injuries and died two days later.

Mr Symeou's family launched a campaign against extradition after a warrant for his arrest was issued, claiming he would not get a fair trial and that evidence gathered by the Greek authorities is flawed. It looks likely to be unsuccessful at a court hearing in Westminster today.

Mr Symeou, a second year Bournemouth University student, claims police in Greece beat and forced two of his friends to sign a statement naming him as the killer.

He saidhe has not been questioned about the incident and arrived at the club three hours after the assault. Mr Symeou's father, Frank, who runs an architectural company in Southgate, said: "The police out there have done a lot to manipulate and manufacture statements."

In a statement Andrew Symeou said: "A simple investigation here in the UK can clear my name. I am happy to cooperate with police in any way I can."