Two 43-year-old men have been arrested in Barcelona under international warrants issued by Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina for document forgery and homicide. The arrests were carried out by the Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police force, as part of separate operations in October.
The first arrest took place on 16th October when officers from the Guardia Urbana detained a man on suspicion of minor threats and property damage. Upon transfer to Mossos d'Esquadra facilities, authorities discovered the identification document he provided was forged. Further checks confirmed he was wanted by Croatian judicial authorities under a European Arrest and Surrender Warrant (OEDE) for document forgery.
According to Croatian authorities, the man allegedly used forged documents and an assumed identity in 2018 to fraudulently obtain a personal identification number and official certificates. He faces a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison if convicted. The suspect was brought before Central Investigating Court number 2 at the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid on 19th October.
Arrest linked to 2016 homicide in Bosnia
The second arrest occurred on 21st October when citizen security officers identified a man during a routine check in Barcelona. Verification of his details revealed an active International Arrest Warrant (OID) issued by Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The warrant relates to a homicide investigated in Bosnia following a violent death in September 2016. Authorities allege the man was involved in the killing as part of a criminal organisation linked to kidnappings and extortion. During the intervention, he was also arrested on suspicion of forging a public document.
The judicial proceedings for both individuals are ongoing before the competent Spanish courts, which will determine whether extradition is granted.
The suspect was brought before the duty investigating court in Barcelona on 22nd October. The case is being handled in line with international judicial cooperation procedures. The Mossos d'Esquadra confirmed both arrests in an official statement published on their website, underscoring their role in enforcing cross-border warrants within Spain.
Sources: Línia Xarxa, Generalitat de Catalunya, ABC, Crónica Global, lasexta.com.
