Suspect in Spanish double murder arrested in Liverpool after 'fleeing three countries in 15 hours'
A man suspected of shooting two people outside a bar in southern Spain was arrested in Liverpool just under two weeks after the attack, with Spanish police alleging he fled through three countries in disguise.
The double shooting took place outside Monaghan's Bar in Fuengirola, Malaga, on 31 May. The victims have been named locally as Eddie Lyons Junior and Ross Monaghan.
Merseyside Police arrested a 44-year-old man in Liverpool on Friday 13 June, acting on behalf of the Spanish authorities.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) supported the operation, with officers from its National Extradition Unit involved.
The man, who appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court the following day, is now facing extradition to Spain to stand trial for two counts of murder. He was remanded in custody.
Spanish National Police, on Tuesday 17 June, revealed that the suspect had crossed through three countries in less than 15 hours after the shooting, using disguises and altering his appearance to avoid recognition.
They added that he then went into hiding in the UK and changed addresses to evade detection.
Two properties in Liverpool were searched during the investigation, which resulted in his arrest following the issue of an international arrest warrant by a magistrates' court in Fuengirola.
A Spanish police spokesperson said: "In just seven days, the alleged perpetrator was identified.
"He fled three countries in less than 15 hours, altering his physical appearance to avoid recognition. Once in hiding in the United Kingdom, he changed his address to hinder any investigation.'
Police Scotland has repeatedly denied that the incident is connected to ongoing criminal tensions in the Edinburgh and Glasgow areas.
A spokesperson said: 'There is also nothing to suggest that the shooting in Fuengirola was planned from within Scotland.'
A spokesperson for the National Crime Agency said: 'On June 13, officers from Merseyside Police arrested a 44-year-old man in the Liverpool area on behalf of the Spanish authorities for two counts of murder. The operation was supported by officers from the NCA's National Extradition Unit.
'The individual appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 14 for the commencement of extradition proceedings.
'He was remanded in custody.'
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