Distretto Nord

Aggiornato il processo contro Campbell in Lituania

RIRA arms trial adjourned

The trial of a man who allegedly tried to buy arms and explosives for the Real IRA in Lithuania has been adjourned.

Michael Campbell in aulaMichael Campbell, a brother of one of the men blamed for the Omagh bomb atrocity, was arrested in an undercover operation in the Baltic state after handing over cash to buy a sniper rifle, detonators and timers, the court in Vilnius city was told.

New details of the international sting operation emerged before the trial was adjourned until October.

Explosives

Lithuanian prosecutors alleged Campbell attempted to negotiate a deal for guns, ammunition and bomb-making materials for the dissident republican group.

He faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.

The defendant is the brother of Liam Campbell, who was successfully sued by the relatives of the Omagh victims for the 1998 bomb attack which killed 29 people.

The pair are from the Upper Faughart area near Dundalk, Co Louth, in the Irish Republic, close to the border with Northern Ireland.

Michael Campbell is charged with supporting a terrorist group by attempting to smuggle firearms, ammunition, and explosive devices from Lithuania to Ireland.

It is alleged the 36-year-old paid undercover Lithuanian agents €10,000 for the weapons including a sniper rifle, detonators, timers and about 10kg of high explosives, in a garage in the industrial zone of Vilnius.

It is also claimed he illegally carried and fired from a rifle, an AK-74 and pistols and examined a sniper rifle, mechanic timers and high explosive trotyl.

It is maintained agents were asked how much of the lethal substance would be needed to blow up a police car or government fire-proof car, and if they would train Real IRA members on how to use the weapons.

Campbell, who has been in custody in Lithuania since his arrest, has not yet entered a plea.

Extradition

Authorities in Vilnius have also begun extradition proceedings against three men – Liam Campbell, Seamus McGreevy and Brendan McGuigan – who are wanted for questioning in relation to the alleged arms smuggling operation.

Liam Campbell is in custody in Northern Ireland, while the case against McGuigan, 29, of Omeath, Co Louth and McGreevy, 56, of Gormanstown, Co Meath, will be heard in Dublin’s High Court in November.

All charges have been dropped against a woman who was detained with Michael Campbell.

Pagina precedente 1 2
Tags

René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

Related Articles

Close