Shoukri carried gun for ‘protection’

A leading loyalist from north Belfast has said that the handgun he was caught with was to protect himself from an opposing loyalist faction led by Johnny Adair.

Andre ‘The Egyptian’ Shoukri, 26, whose address was given as Sunninghill Gardens, is charged with possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition with the intent to endanger life.

Appearing in Belfast Crown Court today, Mr Shoukri denied the charges, saying the gun was for his own personal protection following death threats he had received.

The weapon and a quantity of ammunition was discovered when the car he was travelling in was stopped and searched as he left the loyalist Rathcoole area in September last year.

Although he initially denied all knowledge of the weapon, it is understood that he later admitted to police that the weapon had been acquired as personal protection following a death treat from other loyalists.

The prosecution counsel, John Creaney QC, told Lord Justice McCollum that the threat did not entitle the accused to arm himself and he contended that Mr Shoukri had shown himself to be prepared to take “offensive” rather than “defensive” action.

Mr Shoukri faces charges relating to a total of four firearms offences.

(SP)