A man accused of murdering two Scottish gangsters at a bar is now being held in a cramped prison close to the crime scene as he awaits the New Year. Michael Riley, who had been in a luxurious Spanish jail known as ‘The VIP prison,’ was transferred to Alhaurin de la Torre prison near Malaga following a request from his lawyer for better defense preparation. The move was made after Riley abandoned his extradition fight and was flown to Madrid in October, where he was initially held at Soto del Real prison.
Spanish authorities have confirmed that Riley, detained in Liverpool on an international arrest warrant, is now at Alhaurin de la Torre prison near Malaga. This relocation was facilitated to assist Riley’s lawyer, who is believed to be located in the Malaga area, in better handling the defense of his client. Riley is facing charges of murdering Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr, who were shot dead at Monaghan’s pub in Fuengirola, a resort in the Costa del Sol.
Riley, currently held in Alhaurin Prison, had his remand in custody confirmed on November 13, with no bail, for the alleged murder of the two Scottish citizens inside a pub. The legal proceedings are taking place at the Civil and Preliminary Investigation Section of Court of First Instance Number Two in Fuengirola. Riley’s case is still under investigation, and he has not been formally charged yet.
The 34-year-old Conor Cowan from Stornoway, detained in connection with a drug-related crime, has lost his fight for freedom after being held in jail without charge for over two years. He may now face an additional 24 months in custody while investigations continue. The legal process in Spain allows suspects to be held for up to four years on remand.
Soto del Real prison, where Riley was initially held, is known for hosting high-profile individuals such as bankers, politicians, and sports figures. The prison boasts upscale amenities like a 65-ft-long swimming pool, gyms, and various sports courts. In contrast, Alhaurin Prison, where Riley is currently housed, is overcrowded and has been described as “conflictive” by prison union bosses.
Riley’s extradition and subsequent legal proceedings are expected to take a considerable amount of time to reach a conclusion. Despite initial fears about his safety in a Spanish prison, Riley consented to be extradited to face prosecution. The Spanish police chief involved in the case claimed that Riley was on the verge of fleeing to a tax haven when he was apprehended on an international arrest warrant.
The investigations into Riley’s alleged involvement in the murders of the two gangsters are ongoing. While Riley has been implicated as a member of a rival gang, authorities have not confirmed any direct link to a turf war. The pub where the murders took place has since reopened under a new name, Irish Rover, after its former owner, Ross, was tragically killed on the premises.