Perry Kouroumblis is set to face murder charges nearly 47 years after the brutal 1977 killings of two women in Melbourne, following his extradition from Italy to Australia.
The 65-year-old Australian-Greek dual citizen arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday, December 3 at night.
Kouroumblis is accused of the murders of Suzanne Armstrong, 28, and Susan Bartlett, 27, who were found stabbed to death in their home in a “gruesome, horrific, frenzied homicide.” Armstrong was also raped, with DNA evidence collected at the scene.
Armstrong’s 16-month-old child was left unharmed in a cot nearby, with neighbours discovering the crime days later after hearing the baby’s cries.
Kouroumblis, who had been living in Greece, was arrested by Interpol at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport. Despite an extradition treaty between Australia and Greece, a Greek law previously prevented his arrest, as charges must be filed within 20 years of an offence.
Kouroumblis’ public defender, Serena Tucci, explained that he was unaware of Italy’s different legal requirements.
“He had no idea that there was a different law in Italy,” Tucci said. “He said he wants to come back to Australia and explain everything.”
Kouroumblis is expected to be formally charged with two counts of murder and one count of rape at a Melbourne court today. He had lived near the victims and was a 17-year-old student at the same school where Bartlett taught, but continues to maintain his innocence.
After his extradition flight from Rome, Kouroumblis was escorted to Melbourne’s police headquarters, where he spent the night ahead of his court appearance.
