ARIK AMIR FLEEING FROM ISRAEL AND LEATHERHEAD ARRESTED IN IBIZA AFTER SEVEN-YEAR RUN

In a significant development in a long-standing criminal case, Arik Amir, a man convicted of serious sexual offenses, has finally been apprehended after nearly seven years on the run. The arrest took place in Ibiza, Spain, marking the end of a tense manhunt that spanned multiple countries and involved coordinated efforts between various law enforcement agencies.

Amir, aged 60, had originally been convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault involving a minor in Leatherhead, Surrey. The court found him guilty of five separate charges related to the abuse of an underage girl, which resulted in a sentence of four and a half years in prison. However, rather than serving his sentence, Amir chose to evade justice by fleeing the United Kingdom.

Following his conviction, all attempts by authorities to extradite Amir from Israel, where he had been hiding in Tel Aviv, proved unsuccessful. Despite these setbacks, law enforcement agencies remained determined to bring him to justice. The breakthrough came on August 20 when Surrey Police received intelligence indicating that Amir had traveled to Malaga, Spain, and was planning to leave Spain within the next two days.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Surrey Police, with the support of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), swiftly obtained an arrest warrant from Guildford Crown Court. The case then became a collaborative effort involving the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Spanish authorities, who worked together to track Amir’s movements.

Within hours of the warrant being issued, authorities located Amir as he was preparing to board a flight from Ibiza back to Israel. The joint operation successfully detained him at the airport, preventing his escape and ensuring he would face the consequences of his actions. This arrest not only closes a chapter on a lengthy manhunt but also underscores the importance of international cooperation in tackling serious crimes and bringing offenders to justice.