WAR crimes suspect Charles Zentai has launched legal action that will delay plans to extradite him to Hungary to face charges over a World War II murder.

Lawyers for the 88-year-old have been granted a judicial review of this month’s ministerial decision that gave the green light for the Perth resident to be sent to Budapest.

A Hungarian court wants Zentai to face charges in connection with the beating and murder of Budapest teenager Peter Balazs, whose body was dumped in the Danube in 1944.

A spokesperson for Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor told The AJN the department will delay giving effect to its extradition ruling until after the Federal Court reviews the decision. That process must begin no later than December 4.

But there is no timeframe for the review, which could overturn O’Connor’s November 12 determination.

Zentai, who remains in prison in Perth, has maintained he is not guilty, and his lawyers have fought to keep him in Australia ever since the charges were laid in 2005.

jewishnews.net.au