British fugitive, 43, arrested in UAE over fatal shooting of Serbian gangster at Costa del Sol party
- The Brit has not been named by the Spanish police
A British man has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates over a murder on the Costa del Sol.
The unnamed 43-year-old is being extradited to Spain to face charges over the murder of a 36-year-old Serbian man, who was shot multiple times in the back during an alcohol- and drug-fueled house party at a villa in August in Estepona.
Spanish police have said they are not naming the Briton, but have indicated he appeared in a British court “a few years ago” for attempted murder. They gave no more details about his troubles with the British justice system.
The man who was shot had a Belgian identity card with him, which turned out to be fake. He was later identified as a fugitive from Serbian gang.
The fatal shooting occurred around 8:45 a.m. on August 12.
A British man has been arrested by Spanish police in connection with a murder that took place on the Costa del Sol in August. Image shows the scene of the house in Estepona, Spain, where the murder took place
A 36-year-old Serbian man was shot multiple times in the back during an alcohol- and drug-fueled house party at an Estepona villa in August
The alleged organizer of the after-hours party, a Cuban national, was reportedly in the house and has since been deported.
A spokesperson for the Spanish National Police in Malaga confirmed the Briton’s arrest: ‘The suspected author of the crime, a 43-year-old British man, was arrested a few days ago in the United Arab Emirates on an international arrest warrant and is being currently under arrest. held in prison there pending resolution of the extradition process.
“The alleged organizer of the event where the crime took place, a Cuban man previously linked to public order problems and the unlawful occupation of homes on the Costa del Sol, has been deported for five years.”
Before the British man was arrested, police spoke to witnesses and found bullet casings and other evidence.
Police said witnesses had pointed to the “consumption of drugs and alcohol” as a possible trigger for the argument that allegedly led to the Serb’s death.
Although the Cuban alleged party organizer was deported late last month, investigators admitted that authorities in the Czech Republic allowed him to enter Europe overnight after he “exercised his right to deliberate protection” and his forced return to Cuba had avoided.
Police have not said where in the United Arab Emirates the Briton was arrested. The most populous city is Dubai, which is not only a popular tourist destination but has also become a notorious hideout for British and Irish criminals in recent years, including Dublin-born crime gang boss Daniel Kinahan.