Real IRA chief's brother in court over 'arms sting'

A Lithuanian court has begun hearing evidence in a trial against a suspected IRA dissident accused of trying to buy weapons and explosives there.

Michael Campbell, the brother of a senior Real IRA figure in Ireland, was arrested in January 2008 in an international sting operation when he allegedly handed 10,000 euro (£8,500) to an undercover Lithuanian agent posing as a weapons supplier.

Today's session in Vilnius was closed as the court was expected to hear evidence from one of the agents in the sting operation. Many British agents participated in the sting.

It is unclear when the trial, which began last year, will end. Campbell, 36, could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of seeking weapons for terrorist purposes.