Spanish police say Daniels gang member behind murder of two Scots in Costa del Sol
Spanish police believe a Daniels family gang member is behind the murder of two Scots in the Costa del Sol.
Eddie Lyons Jr and Ross Monaghan died after a gunman opened fire outside Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola last month.
STV News understands Michael Riley, 44, was taken into custody in Liverpool by Merseyside Police on Friday under an international arrest warrant issued by the Spanish authorities.
He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday for extradition proceedings and will remain in custody.
Attempts are now being made to extradite Riley – from the Merseyside area – to Spain. He is next due to appear in court on Thursday.
Spanish police provided some details on Tuesday about Riley's movements.
They say he fled the scene over land to Portugal before flying to the UK. Riley also shaved off his beard to change his appearance.
Spanish police believe he then hid at several addresses in Britain before his arrest, which they say came as he was about to escape to an island tax haven.
They added the charges are two murders, membership of a criminal organisation and illegal possession of weapons.
The Fuengirola attack took place at around 11pm when a car pulled up outside Monaghans bar and a masked man got out before opening fire as Monaghan and Lyons Junior stood outside.
The gunman fled in the car and both men died at the scene.
At the time, Police Scotland said the attack did not appear to be linked with a series of criminal acts by rival groups in Scotland, and that any speculation was 'not helpful' to their investigation.
But at a press conference in Spain on Tuesday, police chief Pedro Agudo Novo said a Daniels clan member was involved in the assassinations.
He said 'In this case we're not talking about an independent hired killer but an internal member of the rival Daniel gang who ends up assassinating two members of an enemy gang.'
STV News understands Riley was not previously regarded by detectives in Scotland as being in the Daniel family orbit.
Police Scotland is now actively looking for an explanation from their colleagues in Spain about their latest update on the investigation.
In a statement earlier this month, Police Scotland said: 'The investigation into the fatal shootings in Fuengirola is being carried out by Spanish police.
'Police Scotland is supporting Spanish police where requested, however, at this time we have no officers deployed within Spain.
'There is currently no intelligence to suggest the deaths of these two men in Spain are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge.
'Any misinformation or speculation linking the events in Spain are not helpful to the ongoing investigations in either country.
'There is also nothing to suggest that the shooting in Fuengirola was planned from within Scotland.'
Operation Portaledge is investigating a suspected gang feud linked with a number of shootings, firebombings and assaults in the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas since March.
More than 40 people have been arrested in connection with the incidents.
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