The Lithuanian lawyer for an Irish man accused of trying to procure weapons for the Real IRA says he is the victim of entrapment by Britain’s intelligence service.
Michael Campbell, from Dundalk, Co Louth, was arrested in Lithuania in January 2008 in an international sting operation while allegedly trying to buy guns and explosives for the dissident republican group.
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.
In her closing argument in court in Vilnius today, Inga Botyriene said he was provoked into buying the weapons in an operation that was conducted by Britain's secret service working in conjunction with Lithuanian agents.
Ms Botyriene said her client was never a member of the Real IRA.
Lithuanian prosecutors have requested that Mr Campbell be sent to prison for 16 years for attempted smuggling, supporting a terrorist group and illegal possession of weapons.
Mr Campbell (38), has denied the charges.
He is the brother of Liam Campbell, who lost his appeal in July against a court judgment which found him jointly responsible for the 1998 Real IRA Omagh bombing
AP