Alleged IRA dissident 'provoked'

The Lithuanian lawyer for an alleged IRA dissident accused of trying to purchase and smuggle weaponry says he is the victim of entrapment orchestrated by Britain’s intelligence service.

Inga Botyriene says that Irish man Michael Campbell was provoked into buying guns and explosions in January 2008 in Lithuania, and that the entire operation was conducted by Britain’s secret service working in conjunction with Lithuanian agents.

In her closing argument in court in Vilnius today, Botyriene said Campbell was never a member of the Real IRA.

Lithuanian prosecutors have requested that Campbell be sent to prison for 16 years for attempted smuggling, supporting a terrorist group and illegal possession of weapons.