An accused hitman facing charges for the murder of two Scottish gangsters in Spain is concerned about potential retaliation if he is incarcerated in a Spanish prison.
Michael Riley, aged 44, stands accused of killing Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, members of the Lyons gang, at Monaghan’s Bar in Feungirola on May 31.
Riley was apprehended by Merseyside police on June 13 following an international arrest warrant issued by Spanish authorities.
The victims had ties to the Lyons family, a prominent criminal organization located in western Scotland.
Riley, a resident of Huyton, Liverpool, was absent from the Westminster Magistrates’ Court today for the preliminary hearing before his upcoming extradition proceeding.
His defense attorney, Renata Pinter, mentioned that Riley suffers from depression and anxiety and expressed concerns about his safety if placed in a Spanish prison due to potential threats from other gang members.
Pinter disclosed that psychiatric and prison conditions reports from Spain will be submitted before his extradition hearing in November.
District Judge John Zani ordered Riley to remain in custody until the next hearing on October 3, with the full extradition hearing scheduled for November 20.
Lyons Jnr and Monaghan were fatally shot while watching the Champions League final at the beachfront bar with friends.
Lyons Jnr succumbed to a gunshot wound outside the bar, while CCTV footage revealed the assailant chasing Monaghan inside the pub before fatally shooting him.
Pedro Agudo Novo, the police chief in Malaga, described Riley as a member of the Daniels gang, engaged in a prolonged conflict with the Lyons gang.
