BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – Indonesian authorities have officially handed over Costinel-Cosmin Zuleam, a Romanian national listed on an Interpol Red Notice, following his arrest in Kerobokan, Badung. The suspect is accused of involvement in a premeditated murder and severe torture case in Romania.
Zuleam, 33, was arrested by a joint task force in Kerobokan on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at around 3:00 pm WITA after an intensive manhunt involving national and international law enforcement agencies. Police said the suspect had attempted to evade detection by frequently changing locations while blending in with tourist crowds in Bali.
Director of General Criminal Investigation at Bali Regional Police, I Gede Adhi Mulyawarman, said Zuleam was considered a high-risk fugitive with a history of extreme violence.
“The suspect is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice and is classified as highly dangerous due to his violent tendencies,” he said during a press conference in Denpasar on Tuesday, January 20.
According to investigators, Zuleam was the main suspect behind a brutal robbery in Sibiu, Romania, on November 6, 2023. Together with two accomplices, he allegedly broke into the home of a local businessman, carried out severe physical abuse that resulted in the victim’s death, threatened the victim’s daughter with a firearm, and stole luxury watches valued at around EUR 200,000.
“Two of his accomplices were previously arrested in Ireland and Scotland and have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Zuleam was the primary target of an international manhunt,” Mulyawarman said.
The press conference was also attended by senior officials from NCB Interpol Indonesia, including Brigadier General Untung Widyatmoko, along with representatives from Bali Police’s public relations division.
Police records show that Zuleam entered Indonesia in November 2023 via China, arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Authorities later identified an attempt by the suspect to leave Indonesia using a Denpasar–Kuala Lumpur flight booking, although no official immigration departure record was found.
Further intelligence from NCB Bucharest, including information obtained through social media monitoring, confirmed that the suspect remained in Indonesia. This prompted renewed tracking efforts focused on Bali.
During his time in Bali, police said Zuleam deliberately maintained a low profile and avoided conspicuous activity.
“Our investigation found that the suspect disguised himself as a regular tourist and avoided drawing attention while in Bali,” Mulyawarman explained.
A coordinated operation involving NCB Interpol Indonesia, Bali Regional Police, Denpasar City Police, and Gianyar Police was conducted over three days starting January 12, 2026. Despite frequent changes in accommodation, digital tracking and close international coordination eventually led to his arrest without resistance.
Following international legal procedures, Indonesian authorities formally handed over Zuleam to Romanian officials on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. He was scheduled to be flown out of Indonesia on Tuesday night to face prosecution in Romania.
Police stated that the arrest and extradition underscore Indonesia’s commitment to international law enforcement cooperation and demonstrate the effectiveness of cross-border coordination through the Interpol network.