BYRNE: DON'T SEND ME TO BRITISH JAIL

Kinahan mobster fights extradition to UK over 'human rights'

- GERARD COUZENS

SUSPECTED Kinahan mobster Liam Byrne says his extradition to the UK should be rejected because he risks "inhumane and degrading treatment" in a British prison.

The extraordinary claim is one of the key arguments his lawyer is using to persuade a Spanish court to refuse Britain's request to hand him over.

Extradition expert Jaime Campaner is alleging there is a "real risk" Byrne's fundamental right to physical and moral integrity will be in danger if his forced return goes ahead.

And he is also claiming the approval of the Irishman's extradition would violate his human rights because the only evidence against him is hacked messages on encrypted communications network Encrochat.

The arguments Spanish criminal lawyer Mr Campaner put forward to try to thwart Britain's extradition request at Spain's Audencia Nacional court last week emerged yesterday.

Byrne, held on June 4  on a UK-issued international arrest warrant at a restaurant in the Majorcan town of Alcudia as he ate dinner with his children, watched the proceedings via videolink from the prison near Palma where he remains in custody.

Suspected Kinahan gang member Jack Kavanagh's separate extradition appeal was also held last Tuesday.