- The detainee had been wanted since March 2, 2022, by the Verona Criminal Court, which sentenced him to 11 years in prison for international criminal conspiracy.
- To avoid detection in Spain, the fugitive used a high-quality forged Romanian passport.
- This operation reinforces the Guardia Civil’s commitment to combating international crime.
The Guardia Civil has arrested a 37-year-old Moldovan national who was the subject of a European Arrest and Surrender Order (EAW) issued by Italy. The detainee was a member of the criminal group Vor v Zakone, also known as “Thieves-in-Law,” a Russian-Soviet-origin organization involved in serious criminal activities.
The arrest took place on February 28, when Guardia Civil officers were conducting a public security patrol in the town of Torrevieja. During their rounds, they noticed three individuals sitting on the terrace of a hospitality establishment. One of them attempted to hide upon seeing the officers, raising their suspicion. As a result, they proceeded to identify him.
The individual presented a high-quality Romanian passport, but after conducting technical verification, the officers determined that the document was fraudulent. Consequently, he was arrested and taken to official premises, where fingerprint analysis confirmed his true identity.
The detainee had been sentenced by the Verona Criminal Court on March 2, 2022, to 11 years in prison for international criminal conspiracy of a mafia nature. As a member of Vor v Zakone, he was involved in crimes against property and individuals, using violence, threats, and intimidation tactics typical of organized crime.
Since his sentencing, the fugitive had been hiding in Spain, using false documentation to evade capture. The Guardia Civil is continuing its investigation to determine whether he has engaged in criminal activities in Spanish territory.
The detainee was brought before the Guard Court of Instruction in Torrevieja, which ordered his imprisonment pending extradition to Italy.
With this operation, the Guardia Civil has dealt another blow to organized crime and reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against international crime.
