Authorities have finally arrested the two Russian fugitives — one of whom is reportedly on Interpol’s Red Notice list — who had been on the run in Bali for almost two weeks.
Andrei Kovalenka and Ekaterina Trubkina, who are reportedly a married couple, were arrested yesterday at a villa located in Umalas, North Kuta. Immigration authorities said that the arrests were possible due to a joint effort involving military and police officers.
The two stood behind law enforcers in orange polo shirts as a press conference announcing their capture was held in Denpasar this afternoon. Indonesian authorities said that Kovalenka is listed as an Interpol fugitive, without disclosing any further information on the charges that he is wanted for.
A search on Interpol’s public red notice list does not reveal anyone with his name. However, it should be noted that the majority of red notices are restricted to law enforcement use only, according to Interpol’s website.
Kovalenka, who was previously serving time in Kerobokan Prison for a narcotics case, escaped from the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office on Feb. 11. Upon completing his sentence, he was in the process of being moved to the immigration detention center in Denpasar when he was visited by Trubkina, who officials said assisted his escape.
Authorities then published details of the two fugitives online as they sought public assistance to locate them.
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