One of Europe's most wanted criminals, Zoltan P., has been detained by police "Head Hunters" from Poznań. The Hungarian citizen, wanted for armed robbery and attempted murder, was hiding from justice for eight years.
Zoltan P. has been detained by officers from a special investigating unit in Poznań, known as the "Head Hunters", who worked in cooperation with ENFAST - the European Network on Fugitive Active Search Teams.
The arrest operation was carried out on Wednesday evening in Kępno (Greater Poland Voivodeship). A counter-terrorism unit from Poznań detained the suspect in his rented apartment. "He was using false personal information," said National Police Headquarters spokesperson Inspector Mariusz Ciarka.
One of "Europe's Most Wanted"
Zoltan P. is one of the most wanted criminals in Hungary and Europe. The Hungarian citizen was in hiding for eight years. "He is suspected of ordering the murder of his associate," Ciarka said.
According to ENFAST, Zoltan P. and other criminals were to hire two assassins to kill his former business partner. The man was attacked in August 25, 2014. Although he was stabbed a number of times, he survived the murder attempt.
Police impersonation
Inspector Ciarka said that Zoltan P. had been also involved in an armed robbery committed on a group of Chinese citizens.
The incident took place a month after the aforementioned failed assassination attempt. Impersonating police officers, Zoltan P. and his gang stopped the Chinese citizens' car, incapacitated them, and stole approx. 1.3 million euros from them.
Friends of the Chinese who had witnessed the robbery followed the group in a car and tried to stop them. That was when Zoltan P. and his gang are said to have fired a series of shots from a Kalashnikov at the chasing vehicle.
According to Hungarian Debreceni Nap portal, chief of police in Budapest issued a reward of 1 million forint (approx. 12,000 zlotys) for helping to detain Zoltan P.
Hiding under a false name
Officers from Poznań were gathering information regarding the wanted suspect together with ENFAST representatives. "Immediately after they confirmed his true identity, the officers prepared an arrest operation. When the right moment came, police counter-terrorism unit stepped in," said KGP spokesperson.
He added that the detained fugitive would remain behind bars in Poland and await extradition to Hungary.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: eumostwanted.eu