Lawyers for an American accused of poisoning a fellow student in St Andrews are fighting his extradition in the federal court.
Alexander Hilton, from Massachusetts, could be brought back to Scotland to face an attempted murder charge.
A warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with the poisoning of Robert Forbes, who needing hospital treatment after allegedly drinking wine spiked with antifreeze in 2011.
He was arrested in February by the US authorities.
Despite a claim by Hilton’s lawyers that their client suffers from a severe mental illness and extradition could worsen his condition, a Boston judge ruled he should be returned to Scotland to face trial.
Attorney Norman Zalkind, who is representing the accused, this week told The Courier an action been filed in the federal court to prevent extradition.
No hearings have been scheduled yet.
The alleged incident happened before the New Hall Ball at the Fairmont St Andrews, while the pair were studying at the town’s university.
Mr Forbes, who is also from the US, spent a week in hospital. He suffered symptoms including loss of vision and needed hospital treatment.
In May, Magistrate Judge Jennifer Boal delivered a ruling that Hilton should be extradited.
However, the judge granted a stay of certificate of extradition for 60 days to allow Hilton to appeal.
The US government moved for an order to lift the stay of extradition and revoke Hilton’s bail, however this was thrown out by Judge Boal in June.
She said in her decision: “The potential harms to him are substantial. If Hilton is surrendered to the United Kingdom before he has an opportunity to seek habeas (legal) review, he will be deprived of his right to seek habeas relief.”