This article contains reference to alleged sexual assault.
Almost five decades since the alleged murder of two Melbourne women in their home, a suspect in the investigation has touched down in Australia and is set to face court.
Perry Kouroumblis landed in Melbourne late on Tuesday night after being extradited from Italy, marking the first time in about eight years he has stepped foot on Australian soil.
It is expected that he will be interviewed by police on Wednesday and subsequently face the Melbourne Magistrates Court.
Kouroumblis will formally be charged with two counts of murder and one count of rape during the court appearance.
He was arrested at Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci Airport in September in connection to the alleged killing of Suzanne Armstrong, 28, and Susan Bartlett, 27, in January 1977.
Dubbed the "Easey Street murders", the friends were found dead with more than two dozen stab wounds in their home on Easey Street in Collingwood in Melbourne's inner north.
Bartlett's 16-month-old son Gregory was found unharmed in his cot.
The 65-year-old Kouroumblis was filmed by 7 News as he flew back to Melbourne on a Qatar Airways flight flanked by Victoria Police officers.
Victoria Police had issued an INTERPOL red notice alert for Kouroumblis on two charges of murder and one of rape.
However, the Greek-Australian dual national was not able to be arrested in Greece due to a 20-year statute of limitation on the initiation of murder charges.
Following his arrest, he told Italian authorities he was "happy" to be extradited and his lawyer said he was prepared to face trial but that a judge will have final sign-off.
Suzanne Armstrong (right) and Susan Bartlett were allegedly murdered in their home on Easey Street in Collingwood in 1977. Source: Supplied / Victoria Police
The suspect will be charged with two counts of murder and one count of rape during his court appearance. Kouroumblis has maintained his innocence.
Armstrong and Bartlett were last seen alive on 10 January 10 1977, and their bodies were found three days later.
Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton said advances in technology, investigative techniques and retracing statements had contributed to the breakthrough in Victoria's "most serious cold case and longest cold case" ever solved.
"There is simply no expiry date on crimes that are as brutal as this," he said.
The force
to catch those responsible.
The women went to school together at Benalla in Victoria's north, and their families said their deaths changed many lives "irrevocably".
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit
. In an emergency, call 000.
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