Indonesian authorities have delayed the extradition of alleged Scottish crime boss Steven Lyons to Spain for a second day, citing the sensitivity of the case. Lyons, 45, described as a senior figure in an international crime syndicate, was scheduled to be flown to Spain late Thursday via Doha, but was instead taken back into Bali police custody.
Husnan Handano, a spokesperson for Bali’s immigration office, declined to provide a reason for the move, while local media reported the delay was linked to an ongoing police investigation. Lyons was detained on Saturday upon arrival from Singapore after an Interpol Red Notice, issued at Spain’s request, flagged him.
Lyons arrived in Bali with two companions who remain on the island, although he told authorities he travelled alone. Bugie Kurniawan, head of the Bali immigration office, said Spain’s Interpol identified them as members of the same criminal cartel, but they are not subject to any arrest warrants or Red Notices.
Police allege Lyons led a transnational criminal network based in Scotland that controlled narcotics trafficking routes between Spain and the UK, and laundered money through shell companies across Europe and the Middle East. Bali Police Chief Daniel Adityajaya said Lyons’ arrest was part of a joint investigation involving Indonesian, Spanish and Scottish authorities.
Lyons has been on Spain’s wanted list for about two years following a killing there in 2024. Scottish media report he survived a shooting in Glasgow in 2006 that killed his cousin, later moved to Spain, and eventually settled in Dubai. Last year, his brother and an associate were shot dead in a suspected gangland attack in Fuengirola, southern Spain.
