BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – Indonesian police, working with Interpol, have arrested a Romanian national wanted for a violent crime in his home country. The suspect, Costinel Sosmin Zuleam (33), was detained in the Kerobokan area of North Kuta, Badung Regency, on Thursday (January 15).
The arrest was carried out by a joint team from the International Relations Division of the Indonesian National Police (Divhubinter Polri), the Indonesian National Central Bureau of Interpol, Bali Police (Polda Bali), Denpasar City Police, and Gianyar Police. Zuleam is listed on an Interpol Red Notice and is suspected of involvement in a brutal murder case in Romania.
Bali Police spokesperson Kombes Pol Ariasandi confirmed the arrest on Friday (January 16). He said the suspect is currently being held at the General Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimum) of Polda Bali while awaiting further legal procedures.
“The suspect is being temporarily detained as we prepare the process for his handover to NCB Bucharest,” Ariasandi said.
According to police, the arrest followed international coordination after authorities received information that the suspect had fled Romania and was hiding in Bali. The tracking operation was conducted through cross-border intelligence sharing among several Interpol member bureaus, including NCB Bucharest, NCB Tashkent, and NCB Brussels.
Based on information released by Divhubinter Polri, the case dates back to November 6, 2023, in the city of Sibiu, Romania. Zuleam and two accomplices allegedly broke into the home of a local businessman, carried out severe acts of torture against the victim, and threatened the victim’s daughter with a firearm. The group reportedly stole luxury watches valued at approximately IDR 3.5 billion.
Investigators said Zuleam’s two accomplices were previously arrested in Ireland and Scotland. Both have been tried and sentenced to life imprisonment. Zuleam, however, remained at large and became an international fugitive after the Sibiu Court issued an arrest warrant on November 19, 2023.
Indonesian authorities stated that the suspect is currently undergoing intensive questioning in Bali before being formally transferred to Romanian authorities in accordance with international legal procedures.