A Syrian fugitive facing a four-year jail sentence in Romania for attempted murder was found residing in a British council house and claiming significant monthly benefits, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.

Mohamad Agha, 51, was wanted by Romanian authorities for an incident on August 26, 2020, when he reportedly attacked a driver with a pickaxe handle during a parking dispute. The victim, Galea Andrei Calin, was left unconscious and required 25 days of hospitalization for traumatic injuries.

Agha, who had attended his trial in Romania, absconded before the final two hearings and was subsequently convicted in his absence. He was sentenced to four years in prison. While living in the UK, Agha challenged his Romanian conviction, but his efforts were unsuccessful in March 2023, leading to a European Arrest Warrant being issued.

The court was informed that Agha had traveled to the UK in 2018 with his wife, Ramona, whom he met in Romania in 2017. The couple married in the UK in 2020 and have two daughters, both born in Britain. They reportedly divided their time between the UK and Romania.

During extradition proceedings, Agha stated he had been granted five years' leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office. However, details regarding when this permission was granted, the basis for its approval, or its expiration date were not provided to the court. This five-year route is available to certain asylum seekers and spouses of European Economic Area citizens, allowing them to work and later apply for permanent residency.

Following a Europe-wide search, Agha was arrested by the National Crime Agency's extradition unit on April 10, 2025. The subsequent extradition process spanned 15 months, concluding only after the High Court denied Agha permission to appeal his extradition.

Agha had previously worked as a lorry driver in Newport, residing in Cardiff, until a back injury sustained from a slip on ice in 2023 led him to claim disability benefits. His wife stated that they moved to the UK seeking a better life and that she has been caring for him since his injury. The couple reported receiving between £1,600 and £2,000 per month in universal credit and personal independence payments, with Agha receiving approximately £500 monthly for disability.

Agha expressed concerns about the fairness of the Romanian judge and argued against extradition on human rights grounds, citing the potential impact on his wife and children. The district judge acknowledged the hardship extradition would cause to Agha's family but stated that such hardship alone was insufficient to prevent extradition given the seriousness of the alleged criminal conduct.

Mohamad Agha was extradited to Romania on July 30. Information regarding his current immigration status and the specific basis of his leave to remain in the UK has been sought for comment.