A new version of the Most Wanted list for fugitives in Europe has been published with 50 new names, including two criminals tracked down by Belgian police forces.
Europol, officially the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, released a new version of its Most Wanted list on Friday to raise public awareness about fugitives wanted for serious crimes. It was launched alongside a campaign revolving around the theme of "superheroes, with the message that anyone can help catch a convicted criminal on the run.
"Collaboration across EU countries and citizens is crucial when trying to find wanted fugitives. These criminals escape from country to country and repeatedly try to evade law enforcement authorities," said Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle.
Europol is asking citizens to check the Most Wanted website to see if they recognise anyone on the list. "By quickly browsing our EU Most Wanted list website, you could help save potential victims. Check the website and help us find them. Be our next hero."
On the same platform, a tip can be given anonymously. When an anonymous tip is sent via the website, it will be passed on to the ENFAST community (European network of police officers within national fugitive teams). They are available 24/7 and can immediately undertake action to locate and arrest fugitives when necessary.
Two people sought by Belgium
A fresh list of wanted individuals has been uploaded to the website. All are linked to serious crimes such as murder, trafficking in human beings, armed robbery and cybercrime amongst other offences. The new list also includes two people wanted by Belgian police forces.
One man, Fejzulla Haredin (58), is an Albanian national who was sentenced to a total of 18 years in prison in Belgium for drug trafficking (narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances) and membership in a criminal organisation.
Haredin, whose alias is Vasileos Samaras, was sentenced to nine years and four years in prison by the Brussels Court of First Instance and five years by the Brussels Court of Appeal. He is sought both by the Brussels prosecutor's office and police.
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The second man, Felix Omoregie (46), is listed as dangerous. The Nigerian national was sentenced to 12 years in prison for human trafficking in Belgium.
He was the leader of a criminal organisation and organised the smuggling of young girls, including minors. "The victims, who were in a precarious situation, were smuggled from Nigeria to Italy by the organisation. Once there, the victims were distributed to several European countries, where they were forced to prostitute themselves," Europol noted.
"As the leader, Omoregie decided which country the victims would be transferred to and collected all income gained from prostitution."
'Significant success'
Europol noted that, since the EU’s Most Wanted was launched by the ENFAST community in January 2016 with Europol's support, the list has resulted in a number of anonymous tips leading to actual arrests.
A total of 408 profiles of fugitives have been listed on the website, of whom 146 have been arrested. 50 arrests came as a direct result of a fugitive profile being published on the website, while 21 cases were successfully solved since the launch of last year’s campaign in September 2022.
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"ENFAST aims to increase security within the EU by successfully tracing and arresting internationally wanted criminals who have committed serious crimes," De Bolle said.
"The evolving nature of cross-border crime has prompted national police forces in EU Member States to combine forces and use their expertise to ensure that it is impossible for dangerous criminals to flee and escape punishment."
Anyone with information on the two fugitives has also been asked to contact police at opsporingen@police.belgium.eu.
