An Irish citizen accused of trying to buy weapons for the Real IRA should face a 16-year jail term, Lithuanian prosecutors say.
Michael Campbell was arrested in January 2008 in an international sting operation while allegedly trying to buy guns and explosives for cash.
Prosecutor Gedgaudas Norkunas told a Vilnius district court today that witness testimony and evidence merit giving Campbell the lengthy sentence. The maximum sentence is 20 years.
Mr Campbell (38), has denied the charges.
He is the brother of Liam Campbell, who yesterday lost his appeal against a court judgment which found him jointly responsible for the 1998 Real IRA Omagh bombing
“According to witnesses’ testimonies, Michael Campbell mentioned on several occasions that weapons and explosives acquired in Lithuania would be used against armed forces and officials of the United Kingdom,” Mr Norkunas told the court.
Mr Campbell allegedly paid cash in advance to undercover agents for the sniper rifle, several RPGs, explosives and detonators. He also paid a Lithuanian to smuggle the weaponry and explosives into Ireland, prosecutors say. Agents from Lithuania, Ireland and Britain took part in the sting.
“He expressed specific interest in explosive materials, asking what amount is needed to blast government vehicles after testing an RPG at a secret meeting,” Mr Norkunas said, referring to a rocket-propelled grenade.
The prosecutor also said that there is a recorded tape of Mr Campbell saying that a sniper rifle he wanted to buy would be used against British soldiers.
Lithuania has requested the extradition of Liam Campbell and another Irish citizen, Brendan McGuigan, who may also be involved in this case, according to prosecutors.
Michael Campbell has denied all three charges - attempting to purchase illegal weapons, attempting to smuggle, and supporting terrorist groups.
Defence lawyer Inga Botyriene said her client believes he is a victim, not a villain. “His activities in Lithuania were entirely provoked by undercover agents,” she told reporters.
Mr Norkunas, however, denied any possibility of entrapment. “There is no objective data in this investigation that would allow anyone to state that Michael Campbell was persuaded or provoked into these actions. He did what he wanted to do,” he told the court.
Michael Campbell has yet to testify in court, and his lawyers are scheduled to speak at the next hearing in September.
AP