Shoukris moved due to safety concern
By Alan Murray
26 November 2006
Loyalist brothers Andre and Ihab Shoukri have been moved to integrated accommodation within Maghaberry Prison.
They had been held in isolated conditions in the jail after being removed from the lower landing in Bush House where most UDA prisoners were held.
Following an exclusive interview published in the Sunday Life three weeks ago, the Prison Service decided to remove the brothers from Bush House because of concerns over their safety. The two brothers resisted the move saying they didn’t fear any attack from UDA prisoners loyal to the inner council faction that had expelled them from the organisation in July.
But the Prison Governor decided to take no risks with their safety.
The Shoukris and three other UDA prisoners loyal to them, including John Boreland, are now housed in integrated conditions within Maghaberry Prison.
They are no longer confined under Rule 32 conditions and have normal association enjoyed by prisoners held in integrated conditions.
Ihab Shoukri may apply for bail soon on the UDA membership charge he faces and if he is freed he is expected to go to live in the south east antrim ‘brigade’ area where he and his brother have friends at a high level in the UDA.
