Authorities in Spain reported the arrest of a French national in Benidorm who was sought by French authorities under a European Arrest Warrant for crimes linked to public order and safety. The case drew attention after the individual had been on the run since late 2022 and was located by members of the National Police in the Alicante region.
The man had escaped from Marseille-Baumettes prison on October 4, 2022, during a period of leave granted as part of his sentence. He had been serving a sentence initially handed down by the Luxembourg Court of First Instance for offenses connected to public order on November 19, 2015. Because he did not return to custody after the authorized leave, he faced a potential penalty of up to three years in prison if recaptured by authorities.
French authorities confirmed that the fugitive entered Spain on May 31, 2023. During that time, efforts to renew his passport in Barcelona triggered a European Arrest Warrant, prompting cross-border enforcement actions.
The individual was identified by officers from the National Police Prevention and Response Unit, part of the Benidorm Citizens’ Security Brigade, after displaying an unusual demeanor in the presence of local agents during a routine encounter about suspected drug use in the city.
Initially, the man offered an unrelated police report as his identification. That misleading gesture prompted officers to detain him for full identification and processing at a police station.
Following checks against National Police databases and interagency records, investigators confirmed that the person held a valid European Arrest Warrant issued by France for extradition.
The French national, aged 44, was handed over to the Benidorm Investigation Court, which ordered his detention. The transfer process to France was later confirmed by the Central Investigation Court of the National Court, marking the next steps in the extradition procedures between the two states.
The incident underscores ongoing international cooperation in tracking and surrendering fugitives. It also highlights the vigilance of local police units in Spain as they coordinate with international partners to enforce warrants and uphold the rule of law across borders.