A 28-year-old Portuguese national sought by British authorities for a murder committed in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, over three years ago, has been ‘localised and detained’, in the western region of Portugal by PJ police.
The brief communique carried on the PJ website says only that he is sought for ‘qualified murder’ and that he faces a maximum 25-year jail term, here in Portugal.
The suspect is not named by the PJ – but a quick internet search sees the name Casemiro Sano Lopez Vaz pop up as “the man suspected of carrying out the fatal knife attack”.
According to a report by the BBC, he fled to his native Portugal in the aftermath of (the victim’s) death and, due to Portuguese legislation, has not been extradited to face a murder charge – nor does it look as if he will be, according to the PJ statement today which suggests Vaz will be tried in Portugal.
Three other men who were with Vaz on the night of the attack have all since been condemned to jail terms, with the judge telling the victim’s family present in court: “I cannot punish the defendants who are in court today more harshly to make up for the fact that the killer is not here”.
Vaz will now be taken before Lisbon appeal court judges for the application of bail measures/ an order to remain in preventive custody.
The name of his victim has also not appeared in the PJ communique. It was a 63-year-old man, called Victor Hamilton, who appears to have been stabbed in the head and chest for no other reason than he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
