2013-01-28 14:16

Prosecutors appeal against ruling not to extradite Irish terrorism suspect Liam Campbell to Lithuania

Prosecutors of Northern Ireland have appealed against a Belfast court ruling not to extradite Irish national Liam Campbell to Lithuania, where he is charged with organizing arms supplies to the paramilitary organization Real Irish Republican Army.
Michaelas Campbellas
Michael Campbella is detained in Lithuania, while his brother Liam is held in Northern Ireland. / Irmanto Gelūno / BNS nuotr.

The Lithuanian Prosecutor General's Office, that has issued the European Arrest Warrant, said on Monday it was aware of the decision of the Northern Ireland's colleagues. "I have no information as to the date of the hearing," prosecutor Gedgaudas Norkūnas told BNS.

Britain's public broadcaster BBC reported that the appeal would be heard on Friday and Campbell would remain in custody until then.

To motivate its decision to refuse Campbell's extradition to Lithuania, the Belfast court said Campbell would be held in inhuman and degrading conditions in Lithuania. The ruling noted the fact that Lukiskes Prison in Vilnius is overcrowded and inmates are held in unhygienic conditions.

If handed over to Vilnius, Campbell would stand the same charges as his brother Michael who has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for lending support to a terrorist organization, arms possession, and attempts to smuggle arms.

Michael Campbell is trying to convince the Lithuanian Court of Appeals that he was provoked to commit the crimes by the British secret service MI-5. He was detained in Vilnius in January 2008 after buying weapons from an undercover agent.

At a hearing, a prosecutor has cited secret witnesses who said Michael Campbell inquired about the amount of explosives needed to blow up a governmental car and said he intended to use the weapons against people.

Liam Campbell is suspected of organizing the crimes. Liam Campbell is called one of the leaders of Real IRA. He was earlier held liable for the Omagh bombing in Northern Ireland in 1998 when 29 people were killed and over 200 injured.

The Real IRA is a paramilitary organization which seeks to bring about a united Ireland. Under Irish laws, Real IRA is an illegal organization. The Council of Europe has listed it as being related to terrorist attacks.

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