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Vilnius 'Real IRA' trial to open | Vilnius 'Real IRA' trial to open |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A man charged with trying to buy arms and explosives for the dissident Irish republican organisation the Real IRA is to go on trial in Lithuania. | |
Michael Campbell was arrested in Lithuania after allegedly trying to buy weapons from an intelligence officer posing as an international arms dealer. | Michael Campbell was arrested in Lithuania after allegedly trying to buy weapons from an intelligence officer posing as an international arms dealer. |
His brother, Liam, is leader of the Real IRA, which opposes British rule in Northern Ireland. | His brother, Liam, is leader of the Real IRA, which opposes British rule in Northern Ireland. |
It was set up after the mainstream IRA declared a ceasefire 14 years ago. | It was set up after the mainstream IRA declared a ceasefire 14 years ago. |
The Real IRA has claimed responsibility for a number of serious attacks, including the shooting of two British soldiers in Northern Ireland in March. | The Real IRA has claimed responsibility for a number of serious attacks, including the shooting of two British soldiers in Northern Ireland in March. |
Mr Campbell's arrest followed a sting operation involving the British, Irish and Lithuanian intelligence agencies. | Mr Campbell's arrest followed a sting operation involving the British, Irish and Lithuanian intelligence agencies. |
Prosecutors in Vilnius told the BBC that following a series of meetings in France and Poland, Mr Campbell eventually came to Lithuania where he was kept under police surveillance. | Prosecutors in Vilnius told the BBC that following a series of meetings in France and Poland, Mr Campbell eventually came to Lithuania where he was kept under police surveillance. |
They allege he paid 10,000 euros ($14,000; £8,600) for a haul of weapons including a sniper rifle, detonators, timers and about 10kg (22lb) of high explosives. | They allege he paid 10,000 euros ($14,000; £8,600) for a haul of weapons including a sniper rifle, detonators, timers and about 10kg (22lb) of high explosives. |
He was detained after allegedly handing over the money in a garage in the industrial zone of Vilnius. | He was detained after allegedly handing over the money in a garage in the industrial zone of Vilnius. |
The arms dealers were, in fact, Lithuanian intelligence agents. | The arms dealers were, in fact, Lithuanian intelligence agents. |
Mr Campbell has been charged with the possession and attempted smuggling of illegal weapons and supporting a terrorist organisation. | Mr Campbell has been charged with the possession and attempted smuggling of illegal weapons and supporting a terrorist organisation. |
But his lawyers question the means by which he was detained. | But his lawyers question the means by which he was detained. |
They also say there is not enough evidence to convict him. | They also say there is not enough evidence to convict him. |