An alleged contract killer facing charges for the murders of two Scottish underworld figures in Spain is concerned about potential retaliation if he is imprisoned in the country.
Michael Riley, aged 44, stands accused of the fatal shooting of Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, members of the Lyons crime syndicate, at a bar in Feungirola on May 31.
Following an international arrest warrant issued by Spanish authorities, Riley was apprehended by Merseyside police on June 13.
Both victims were linked to the Lyons family, a prominent criminal organization operating in western Scotland.
Riley, a resident of Huyton, Liverpool, was absent from the preliminary court session at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, with his extradition hearing scheduled for a later date.
His defense lawyer, Renata Pinter, highlighted concerns about potential mistreatment citing Article 3 of the Human Rights Act, which prohibits torture or inhumane treatment. Pinter emphasized that Riley, who suffers from depression and anxiety, fears for his safety from rival gang members if incarcerated in Spain.
Pinter confirmed that psychiatric and prison conditions reports specific to Spain will be submitted before the extradition hearing in November.
District Judge John Zani ruled that Riley would remain in custody until the next hearing on October 3, with the full extradition proceeding set for November 20.
The fatal incident occurred as Lyons Jnr and Monaghan were watching a football match at the bar, with Lyons Jnr succumbing to a gunshot wound outside the establishment, while CCTV footage captured the assailant pursuing Monaghan inside and fatally shooting him.
Spanish police chief Pedro Agudo Novo, based in Malaga, identified Riley as a member of the Daniels gang, which has been embroiled in a longstanding rivalry with the Lyons gang.