Ruling on Kalejs extradition expected

Many Australians resent Kalejs' presence in their country

By Dominic Hughes in Sydney

In Australia, a ruling is expected on an extradition request for an 87-year-old man wanted by the Latvian Government in connection with war crimes committed during World War II.

Konrad Kalejs is accused of being in charge of guards at a labour camp not far from the Latvian capital, Riga, during the war.

Prosecutors say that, while at the camp, thousands of Jews and other prisoners were shot, tortured and humiliated.

Konrad Kalejs would be the first person prosecuted for Nazi war crimes in Latvia

The case has so far been dominated by complex legal argument over whether there are grounds for his extradition to Latvia.

The ruling is expected at 1000 local time (0000GMT).

Mr Kalejs, who became an Australian citizen in 1957, denies any involvement the alleged crimes.

Legal wrangling

Now appearing frail and confined to a wheelchair, he has been required to attend some of the court sessions in the city of Melbourne but seemed to be asleep much of the time.

His defence team have argued that the Latvian and Australian authorities have not followed the correct procedures for extradition.

If the magistrate allows the extradition to proceed, the case will pass to a higher court where further evidence will be presented.

But the process is open to appeal at every stage and is unlikely to be resolved soon.