A Dutch man suspected of murdering a woman in Belgium 13 years ago has been arrested in Croatia after being put on Interpol's most-wanted list, the international police group said on Wednesday.
Morgan Schreurs, 39, is accused of killing a woman he met in a bar in 1999, and had been on the run since.
He was arrested Friday in the city of Rovinj, on the northern Croatian coast, after Interpol circulated his photo and case details via its “Operation Infra-Red” (International Fugitive Round-Up and Arrest -- Red Notice), the organisation said.
After media in Ireland published information on the case, police there received a tip-off that Schreurs could be in Croatia, Interpol said.
“This arrest has achieved exactly what Interpol's Operation Infra-Red set out to do -- encourage members of the public to provide new information to assist police in taking action,” said Stefano Carvelli, head of Interpol's fugitive investigation unit.
“This suspected murderer is now in custody after nearly 14 years on the run”.
Schreurs was found with a fake Italian passport, ID and driver's licence, Interpol said.
The organisation said the Infra-Red programme had helped police nab nearly 60 suspected criminals, including the arrest on June 4 of suspected Canadian snuff film killer Luka Rocco Magnotta, dubbed the “Canadian Psycho”.
Infra-Red 2012, which follows similar programmes in 2010 and 2011, was launched on May 14 with a list of more than 500 fugitives wanted by 57 Interpol member countries. - AFP