EXTRADITION proceedings have been launched against one of Europe's most wanted men who was arrested in Blackburn.

Gunnar Simanis is accused of torturing and murdering a pensioner in Estonia.

He was detained in Blackburn on Thursday after a routine police stop for suspected driving offences in Barbara Castle Way.

The 39-year-old, who had been living in Accrington Road, Blackburn, has appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Magistrates heard he broke into a farm, with two accomplices, and demanded money for vodka from Maria Saskov Minejeva, 80, in June 1999.

The court heard Miss Minejeva was tied up, tortured and beaten so severely she later died from her injuries.

Simanis’ lawyer, Fadi Daoud, said he would resist extradition to Estonia.

Mr Daoud admitted Simanis had walked out of his trial in Viru, northern Estonia, in May this year, two days into the hearing after his co-defendant blamed him for the killing.

He said Simanis had previously been told that no case against him would go ahead: “In 2001, there was a decision there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him for this matter.”

He also told the court that Simanis had served time for 'other aspects of the matter'.

According to Estonian news reports, three brothers were previously convicted of the murder before being released in 2002, and given compensation.

Daniel Sternberg, representing the Estonian authorities, told the court that Simanis was arrested in Blackburn on November 18.

He needed a Russian translator to interpret the proceedings for him.

District judge Daphne Wickham adjourned the hearing until December 10.

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