A British national accused of killing two Scottish gangland figures in Fuengirola is being held in a ‘VIP prison’ in Spain, it has emerged.
Michael Riley, 44, is accused of gunning down Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jr in an Irish pub on May 31 this year.
The Liverpudlian was last month extradited from the UK to Spain, where he will ultimately stand trial.
Before his day in court, it has emerged he is being held in the infamous Soto del Real prison in Madrid.
It is one of the country’s most high-profile prisons, with many high-profile criminals having stayed there in the past.
The clink, which houses murderers and drug traffickers, features sports courts, a gym and a swimming pool.
The prison, officially known as Madrid V, has long attracted media attention due to its history and the high-profile figures who have served time there.
Opened in 1995 and located around 25km north of Madrid, Soto del Real was designed as a next-generation penitentiary complex. It includes 14 modules, sports facilities, and rehabilitation workshops.
Over the years, it has housed some of Spain’s most prominent financial, political and institutional figures, including former IMF chief Rodrigo Rato, ex-Barcelona FC president Sandro Rosell, former PP treasurer Luis Bárcenas, businessman Mario Conde, and Iñaki Urdangarin, brother-in-law to King Felipe VI.
More recently, former PSOE organisational secretary Santos Cerdan was also held there during a corruption probe.
The prison has earned informal nicknames such as ‘Soto del Relax’ and ‘La jaula dorada’ (‘the golden cage’) among staff, due to perceptions it offers more comfortable conditions than other high-security centres.
Inmates typically have private rooms with bathrooms, may wear their own clothes and can take part in training and work programmes – though the prison also manages high-risk inmates and has recorded assaults on staff.
From Fuengirola to Madrid
Riley was arrested in Liverpool on June 14 and extradited to Spain on October 15.
Spanish investigators allege he shot Monaghan, 46, and Lyons Jr, 43, inside and outside Monaghan’s Irish Bar in Fuengirola after the Champions League final.
Police sources have linked the killings to the long-running feud between the Lyons and Daniel organised crime clans in Scotland. Investigators believe Riley may be connected to the Daniel group.
After initially opposing transfer to Spain, citing fears for his safety, Riley later agreed to voluntary extradition.
