An Ontario judge has approved the extradition of Sri Lankan gang leader Prasanna Nallalingam to France over his alleged role in a deadly gang attack near Paris in 2022.
Nallalingam, detained in Toronto, is to be surrendered after 30 days pending approval from Canada’s justice minister.
French authorities accuse him of orchestrating an attack by AAVA gang members using sabres and machetes, which left one person dead in La Courneuve.
Nallalingam’s lawyers admit he ordered the vandalism of a rival gang’s vehicle but deny he intended for violence against its occupants.
The prosecution argued that Nallalingam’s leadership role and criminal history suggest he planned the violent outcome.
He is also wanted in Sri Lanka for a 2016 murder and has prior convictions in France for gang-related activity.
Nallalingam illegally entered Canada in 2022 using a false identity via Roxham Road in Quebec.
His legal team plans to appeal the extradition and make submissions to Canada’s justice minister in an effort to block his surrender.
