Just weeks after we highlighted to the Irish government concerns about the Lithuanian penal system (see Celtic News link below) it has been revealed that an Irishman being detained there is having to endure extreme privation. The family of Michael Campbell from Dundalk say they have been unable to see him since he was arrested in Vilnius in January.

Campbell (35) appears to have been arrested as part of an entrapment operation involving British Intelligence operatives and the Lithuanian police. The allegations surround attempts to buy arms and explosives but matters are confused by the fact that Campbell allegedly travelled to the country in the first place to procure contraband cigarettes. Although he has not been charged with any offence, as yet, he can be held for 18 months under Lithuanian law

Despite being held now for nine months Campbell has had no physical contact with his family. Visits or telephone calls from his family have been blocked, although he has been allowed to correspond with them.

The Irish Republican Prisoners' Welfare Association say:

"Michael Campbell is locked up nearly all day in a small cell with three Lithuanian prisoners. There is only one toilet between the four men and that is a hole in the ground. The conditions are appalling. Michael's family have been prevented from visiting him by the prosecution and when a family friend went to Vilnius for one of his court remands, he was removed from the court at the insistence of the prosecution.

"The only people to have seen Michael since his arrest have been his lawyers. This is in total contrast to other prisoners in the jail whose families are allowed to see them. I can't recall any other foreign jail where such restrictions have been placed on an Irish prisoner. Michael hasn't been charged and this is effectively internment by remand."

In its most recent report on conditions at Lithuanian police stations and prisons the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) is scathing about ill-treatment in these institutions:

"The CPT remains concerned by the high number and the severity of allegations of ill-treatment of persons in police custody in Lithuania; the situation has scarcely improved since the visit in 2000, despite the considerable volume of legislative acts and orders related to the subject which has been promulgated in the interim. Further, according to the Seimas Ombudsman, the "illegitimate use of physical force by police officers" is one of the main problems identified concerning the Ministry of the Interior."

Full report (in pdf form) here:

(voir le site)

Related link on Celtic News at:

(voir le site)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

02/11/08

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