Crime boss Steven Lyons loses bid to block extradition to Spain

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Crime boss Steven Lyons loses bid to block extradition to Spain3 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleAnna HolliganBBC News in AmsterdamNgurah Rai Immigration OfficeSteven Lyons was arrested on 28 March in Bali before being deported to the NetherlandsSteven Lyons, one of Scotland's leading gangland figures, has lost his bid to block extradition from the Netherlands to Spain. Lyons was arrested in Bali in March under a European Warrant issued by Spain's Guardia Civil. He was deported to the Netherlands because the Spanish government does not have an extradition agreement with Indonesia.

The 46-year-old opposed extradition, but a court in Amsterdam has ruled he must face charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering and violent crime in Spain. Lyons, who was not present in court, has no possibility of an appeal and is expected to be extradited shortly. The court ruling stated that judges had found no reason to deny the request to hand over Lyons to the Spanish authorities.

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It dismissed defence claims that the original warrant had not been issued correctly or physically signed by a court in Malaga. The court also found there was no evidence of irregularities with the investigation or that Lyons would not face a fair trial. EPALyons flanked by police officers as he was led from a Bali police station before being deported in MarchThe ruling stated: "Between EU member states, there is a principle of mutual trust.

"The court does not have information showing a general risk that suspects in criminal proceedings in Spain will not receive a fair trial. "It added that any concerns about the investigation and arrest would need to be dealt with in a criminal trial in Spain. Police in Spain previously said they had "dismantled" a criminal drugs gang led by members of the Lyons family and wanted Steven Lyons to stand trial under Spanish jurisdiction.

Officers in Scotland and Spain carried out a series of simultaneous raids in March, following a years-long investigation into serious organised crime. Co-ordinated with the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA), it targeted alleged members of the Lyons - Scotland's dominant crime group - and resulted in 14 arrests across four countries. Lyons himself was arrested in Bali by local officers, on behalf of Spain's Guardia Civil.

Electronic devices, large amounts of cash, company documents, high-end watches and cryptocurrency wallets were said to have been seized as part of the investigation. A statement in April by the Civil Guard in Spain said the Lyons gang had developed a criminal network in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, using "a complex money laundering network based on shell companies and international financial transactions, managing millions of euros derived from drug trafficking". It added that the group operated across several countries, including Spain, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, and is "one of the most significant players in contemporary European organised crime".

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.