Mossos d'Esquadra identified a Serbian national, wanted by Belgian authorities, whom an assailant fatally shot in Barcelona's Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district on Wednesday, 10 June, at 09:50. The victim, a fugitive, was executed on Calle Balmes, near a National Police station, in what investigators suspect is an international organised crime hit.

The Catalan autonomous police, the Mossos d'Esquadra, named their criminal investigation 'Cas Diamant'. Identifying the victim proved challenging. He used multiple false identities and passports in Barcelona. This pattern is typical of international organised crime networks.

The attacker remains at large. Police maintain an active search operation to find the perpetrator. The incident has raised concerns about the presence of international criminal groups in Catalonia.

The shooting occurred at the junction of Calle Balmes, number 192, and Calle de la Granada del Penedès. The assailant approached the victim from behind, firing several shots to the head. This caused immediate death.

The gunman fled on foot towards the Sagrada Família. However, the attacker made two critical errors. The assailant dropped the pistol during the escape, which agents recovered for fingerprint and ballistics analysis.

Unlike many contract killers, the attacker acted unmasked. Security cameras and witnesses captured images of the individual fleeing with the weapon in one hand and what appeared to be a bicycle helmet in the other. These images could prove vital for the investigation.

The 'Cas Diamant' investigation strengthens police suspicions about international clans establishing themselves in Catalonia. This assassination followed another fatal shooting just three days earlier, on Sunday, 7 June, in the Zona Franca. In that incident, an assailant killed an individual of Spanish origin with a history of drug trafficking on Calle de la Mineria.

Authorities believe the Zona Franca shooting was a settling of scores linked to Balkan mafias. The extreme violence of both crimes has triggered alarms, especially given the timing. A high-security operation, 'Albus', covered Barcelona during the week of these events.

This operation mobilised over 6,000 police agents for the official visit of Pope Leo XIV. The presence of such organised violence during a major international event highlights the challenges facing law enforcement in the city.

Impact on Barcelona Residents

These public executions raise significant public safety concerns for Barcelona residents and visitors. The Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district, known for its residential character, is home to over 140,000 people. A daylight shooting in such a busy area can cause considerable alarm.

The use of false identities by fugitives complicates police efforts to track and apprehend criminals. This also shows the sophisticated methods employed by international crime syndicates operating within the city.

The Mossos d'Esquadra continue their efforts to dismantle these criminal networks. They aim to ensure the safety of Barcelona's streets.

The ongoing search for the gunman and the broader investigation into the 'Cas Diamant' will determine the full extent of the criminal network involved. Barcelona authorities remain committed to addressing the threat posed by international organised crime groups.

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Originally published by Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life. Read original article.