Republican News · Thursday 26 September 2002

Shoukri on gun charge

North Belfast UDA Brigadier André Shoukri was charged in Belfast's Laganside Court with possessing a Walther pistol and 30 rounds of ammunition, with intent to endanger life, on Monday 23 September.

Shoukri, nicknamed 'the Egyptian', from Sunningdale Gardens, along with William McCullough, from Mackey Street, were arrested at Rathcoole Drive in Newtownabbey, when RUC/PSNI members stopped a Ford Sierra in which both men were travelling. The firearm and bullets were found following a search of the vehicle.

Both men were remanded in custody for a month. UDA chief Johnny Adair, along with other known UDA members, started clapping loudly from the public gallery as Shoukri and McCullough were led from the courtroom.

In July, Shoukri, as a member of the Loyalist Commission, met with the British Secretary of State John Reid.