Andre Shoukri ‘does not feel under any threat in jail’
Loyalist not moved into isolation
By Brian Rowan
29 June 2006
Loyalist Andre Shoukri has not been moved into isolation at Maghaberry jail following the public declaration from the UDA that he was expelled from the organisation.
Newspaper reports suggested that both Shoukri and an associate John Boreland had been moved from the loyalist wing on Bush House.
But a senior prison source dismissed those reports.
Yesterday, the source confirmed that Shoukri was still being held with other loyalists in the jail and that he has advised prison staff that he does not feel under threat.
The situation is being kept under review.
Last Thursday, 48 hours after the UDA statement expelling the Shoukri brothers and Alan McClean, there were loyalist rumours that Andre Shoukri had been moved inside Maghaberry prison.
The suggestion was he had been placed on what is called Rule 32 - meaning he had been isolated from other loyalist prisoners.
But, according to a senior UDA leader, Shoukri was seen in the jail’s visits area on Saturday, and yesterday a prison source confirmed that he had not been moved.
Two men accused of the attempteer of senior UVF figure Mark Haddock are still being held in isolated cells - but UDA prisoners Shoukri and Boreland have not been placed in the jail’s Special Supervision Unit.
The UDA leadership - its inner council - is still considering how to enforce its decision to stand down three of its most senior north Belfast leaders - Andre and Ihab Shoukri and Alan McClean.
A statement issued in the name of the UDA’s so-called north Belfast brigade last week said the men would remain in their positions and had the support of their members.
But a senior source said the paramilitary leadership was privately being asked for help to remove the Shoukris and their associates.
How that is achieved without the use of force is the dilemma facing those on the inner council who oppose the Shoukri leadership.
The position of the UDA leader in south east Antrim is still far from clear.
According to sources, he has told the inner council that he wants to remain part of the mainstream paramilitary organisation but cannot support the decision to expel the Shoukri brothers.
