Charles Zentai denies war crimes allegations
Posted
Updated
Alleged war criminal, Charles Zentai is fighting attempts to extradite him from Perth to Hungary. (ABC)
Lawyers for an alleged war criminal have told the Perth Magistrates court he should not be extradited to Hungary because the law he is alleged to have broken was not in existence in 1944.
Charles Zentai is fighting a request from the Hungarian Government for him to be extradited to face a charge of beating to death a 17 year old Jewish boy.
Mr Zentai denies the allegation and maintains he left Budapest the day before the teenager's death.
Today his lawyers submitted that the law Mr Zentai is accused of breaking was not introduced in Hungary until 1945, a year after the alleged murder.
They said that therefore meant that he could not be extradited.
Mr Zentai's supporters packing the Court today, heard details of the warrant issued for his arrest in 2005.
It is alleged Mr Zentai was one of three army officers to beat the teenager over several hours and then dump his body in the River Danube.
It was also alleged the teenager, who was not wearing a yellow star, was recognised by Mr Zentai because they were from the same town.
Mr Zentai denies the allegation.
The Magistrate has to determine whether Mr Zentai is eligible for extradition, although the final decision rests with the Federal Attorney General.
