London: A British court Sunday adjourned until July 1 next year the extradition hearing of Indian-origin businessman Shrien Dewani, accused of ordering the murder of his bride during their honeymoon in South Africa.
Chief magistrate Howard Riddle told a London court that Dewani, whose extradition was halted in March over mental health concerns, would face a five-day hearing from July 1 following a review hearing on April 11, if he is deemed fit enough to stand trial.
"We have a review hearing, effectively, on April 11. Mr Dewani will be bailed to that date," Riddle said.
Dewani`s 28-year-old wife Anni, a Swede of Indian origin, was killed in November 2010 during an apparent hijacking in Cape Town just two weeks after their wedding.
Dewani, 32, who is accused of organising the shooting of his wife, as they travelled in a taxi during their honeymoon, is too terrified to go anywhere by car, the court heard today.
He has described to doctors how he can still smell the breath of the man who held a gun to his head, the court was told.
Dewani was ordered to be extradited in August last year but in March the High Court in London ruled that it would be "unjust and oppressive" to send him to South Africa until he recovered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression.
Meanwhile, the judge said Dewani could be moved from a secure hospital to one with a more relaxed feel to help him recover.
A South African man was found guilty of Anni`s murder last month and two other local men jailed over the killing say Dewani ordered the hit.
The court heard that Dewani`s depression has improved from "severe" to "moderate", although it remains at the borderline of severe and he continues to suffer from flashbacks.
Dewani has strongly denied any involvement in his wife`s murder. His bail conditions include a 250,000 pounds surety, which has already been paid.
PTI
