EIRE/IRELAND: DETAINED IRISHMAN'S TREATMENT BEING `MONITORED'

The Irish government says that it `continues to provide consular assistance and monitor the treatment' of an Irishman held in Lithuania. The assurance comes in a response to the General Secretary of the Celtic League (see below).

Michael Campbell has been held in Lukiskiu Prison in Vilnius for over a year. He is alleged to have been attempting to procure firearms - allegations he denies.

Conditions in the Lithuanian prison system have been criticised by European Prison Inspectorate the CPT. Recently conditions at Lukiskiu Prison were condemned in a European Court of Human Rights Case which upheld concerns about overcrowding and censorship.

«Mr. Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League rhisiart.talebot@...

5 March 2009

Our Ref: AI090021

Dear Mr. Tal-e-bot,

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Micheál Martin, T.D., has asked me to to thank you for your letter of 5 February 2009 regarding the Lithuanian extradition request for Mr. Seamus McGreevy and Mr. Liam Campbell, and to respond to you on his behalf.

In relation to Mr. Michael Campbell, the Irish Embassy in Vilnius will continue to provide consular assistance and monitor the treatment he receives. The Embassy has also been in regular contact with the Prison Authorities and the Prosecutors Office regarding the case.

In relation to the cases of Mr. Liam Campbell and Mr. Seamus McGreevy, the Minister for Foreign Affairs does not have a role in the processing of extradition request such as those made under a European Arrest Warrants. Under the European Arrest Warrants Act, 2003, the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform has been designated as the Central Authority for Ireland for matters connected with European Arrest Warrants. Representations can be made to that Department through the contact details below:

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform 94 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2

Lo-Call: 1890 221 227 Email: info@...

I hope you find this information helpful.

Yours sincerely,

Sinead Ryan Private Secretary

PP Bryan Cahill»

Related article on Celtic News at: (voir le site) Related article on Agence Bretagne Presse website at: (voir le site)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

07/03/09