‘People smuggler’ fights extradition to stand trial in Greece

The alleged head of a people smuggling gang accused of trafficking 100 Syrian refugees a day into Europe will argue that he cannot be extradited because being held in a Greek prison would breach his human rights, a court heard.

Palestinian Jamal Owda, 26, was one of 23 people held in raids across Europe in December over an operation authorities claim could have made up to €10m since 2013 by preying on desperate civilians fleeing the civil war.

He was arrested on a European Arrest Warrant by National Crime Agency officers at an asylum shelter in Liverpool and Westminster Magistrates’ Court, London, heard yesterday he is applying for asylum in the UK.