An accused hitman facing charges for the fatal shootings of two Scottish gang members in Costa del Sol is concerned about potential retaliation if he is imprisoned in Spain.
Michael Riley, aged 44, stands accused of the murders of Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, who were associated with the Lyons family, a prominent criminal organization in western Scotland. The killings took place at Monaghan’s Bar in Fuengirola on May 31.
Riley, a resident of Huyton, Liverpool, was apprehended by Merseyside police on June 13 following an international arrest warrant issued by Spanish authorities. Despite the charges, he did not attend the preliminary court hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
His defense lawyer, Renata Pinter, cited concerns under Article 3 of the Human Rights Act, highlighting Riley’s mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. Pinter asserted that Riley fears for his safety from rival gang members if incarcerated in a Spanish prison.
Pinter confirmed the submission of a psychiatric evaluation and a report on Spanish prison conditions ahead of Riley’s extradition hearing scheduled for November. District Judge John Zani ordered Riley to remain in custody until the next hearing on October 3, with the full extradition hearing set for November 20.
The victims, Lyons Jnr and Monaghan, were killed while watching the Champions League final at the beachfront bar. Lyons Jnr succumbed to a gunshot wound outside the bar, while CCTV footage captured the assailant pursuing Monaghan inside the establishment before fatally shooting him.
Spanish police chief Pedro Agudo Novo identified Riley as a member of the Daniels gang, which has been embroiled in a longstanding feud with the Lyons gang.