Shoukri holiday bail is refused

Ihab Shoukri had hoped to go to Dubai

High profile loyalist Ihab Shoukri has been refused leave to go to Dubai for a holiday.

In Belfast Crown Court, Mr Justice Hart refused to vary the 34-year-old's bail conditions to let him travel to the United Arab Emirates.

He faces charges of UDA membership, including one of assisting, arranging, or managing a meeting of the loyalist terror group.

The judge said "if allowed to leave the UK, he may not return voluntarily".

The judge said while it was not contested that his partner was paying for the trip, it was "also relevant" that Shoukri, who is on legal aid, "does appear to have access to considerable funds".

Mr Shoukri, who was appearing in Larne on "petty sessions matters", was not in court.

A Crown lawyer said the reasons for their belief that there was a risk of flight, included the serious nature of the charges and the fact Mr Shoukri, who is from north Belfast but residing in Larne, had received a number of death threats.

He also said that the UAE has no extradition treaty with the UK which meant if he did not return "then there is no easy means for him being brought back before the courts".

Mr Shoukri's lawyer said despite the death threats, his client had been granted full bail and at one stage had been allowed to live in England.

The lawyer also pointed out that one of Shoukri's co-accused had been allowed to holiday on a Spanish island.