Three fugitives wanted over the fatal shooting of a Belgian police officer have been arrested in Almeria as they allegedly prepared to flee to Morocco.
Nordine el Talbi, 41, was killed while on duty in Jette, Brussels, during the night of October 12.
Guardia Civil officers launched an operation around Almeria’s port after receiving information that suspects in the killing could be in the province.
Belgian authorities had issued European Arrest Warrants, with intelligence passed through the Guardia Civil’s liaison officer in Belgium.
Fearing an imminent departure for Morocco, Spanish officers monitored the port area while exchanging information in real time with Belgian Federal Police.
After several hours, officers detained all three suspects before they could board. According to the Guardia Civil, they strongly resisted arrest.
Investigators also located a property during the operation. A European Investigation Order was later issued through Spanish and Belgian judicial authorities to enable a search for evidence.
The three detainees appeared before a central investigating court at Spain’s Audiencia Nacional on the morning of October 19.
At a press conference in Belgium on October 18, the prosecutor handling the case and a senior federal police official praised the rapid exchange of information and the operation’s effectiveness.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
