Belfast court refuses Shoukri bail

Alleged loyalist leader Ihab Shoukri has been refused bail for a third time after a judge said he could be killed if he was released…

Alleged loyalist leader Ihab Shoukri has been refused bail for a third time after a judge said he could be killed if he was released.

Shoukri is accused of professing membership of the UDA/UFF last March, three months before the organisation said they had expelled him and his brother Andre.

He was arrested for his alleged role in a rehearsal for a show of strength in the Alexandra Bar, Shore Road, Belfast.

Sixteen others were also charged but he is the only one still in custody.

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A previous bail hearing was told that UDA leaders had discussed murdering  Shoukri before deciding to expel him and yesterday's court heard that police had advised him of two death threats.

"Given those threats to him and the consequent risk to the public we feel very strongly that he should be kept in custody," said the lawyer.