Serial rapist wanted by Belgium is caught in Poland, thanks to Europe’s Most Wanted list

An Armenian criminal, who committed several aggravated rapes and assaults in the Belgian coastal town of Oostende, was arrested last week in Szczecin, Poland. At the time of arrest the 30 year old was in possession of counterfeit Romanian, Belgian and Greek documents. Polish police officers immediately checked Europe’s Most Wanted website and recognised him as the fugitive wanted by Belgium.

The suspect was convicted in 2015 and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by a court in Bruges (Belgium). He was found guilty of violently raping several women, threatening his victims with a weapon, and numerous other assaults in Oostende (Belgium) in 2011 and 2012. He fled abroad and his whereabouts were unknown until last week. The criminal was featured on both Belgium’s and Europe’s Most Wanted websites.

The Fugitive Active Search Team (FAST) of the Belgian federal police was contacted by their Polish colleagues after they recognised him on Europe’s Most Wanted website. They were quickly able to confirm his identify by comparing fingerprints.

The Belgian authorities have already requested his extradition.