Loyalist denies terrorism charges
A prominent Belfast loyalist has been remanded in custody after appearing in court on terrorism charges.
Ihab Shoukri is charged with membership of the UDA/UFF on a date between January and March this year.
The 32-year-old, of Westland Drive, faced a second charge of professing to be a member of that organisation.
The court heard Mr Shoukri had been found in the company of several men in paramilitary dress when police raided the Alexander Bar on 2 March.
A speech supporting the Ulster Defence Association was found on one of the men which a handwriting expert would say had been written by the accused, a prosecution lawyer told the court.
The court was told that when charged, Mr Shoukri said: “I have recently been acquitted of that charge. I have to ask whose agenda is being served here?”
He was remanded in custody until next week when he appeared at Thursday’s hearing at Belfast Magistrates Court.
