The family of the prime suspect in Melbourne’s notorious Easey Street murders claims he returned to Athens in 2017 to care for his elderly mother.

That’s despite police claims that Perry Kouroumblis fled Australia when they requested a DNA sample from him as part of their investigation into the 1977 murders.

Perry’s brother Tony now claims his sibling wasn’t even in Victoria when Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett were stabbed dozens of times in a house in Collingwood 47 years ago.

Perry Kouroumblis is being held by Italian authorities after he was arrested at Rome Airport as authorities work to extradite him back to Victoria. (Nine)
A man has been arrested in Italy over the 1997 murders of Suzanne Armstrong (right) and Susan Bartlett (left) at their home on Easey Street, Melbourne. (Nine)

Tony originally told media his brother was a student at Collingwood High School, where Bartlett worked as an arts and crafts teacher.

But he now claims his brother went to a different school.

Tony today told media he wants his brother to return to Australia so he can clear his name.

Perry is being held by Italian authorities after he was arrested at Rome Airport as authorities work to extradite him back to Victoria.

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