Agents of the Mossos' Active Research Group of Fugitius (GRAFO) have arrested a 25-year-old man in Manresa on whom a European arrest and surrender warrant (OEDE) issued by the French authorities for the crime of kidnapping, unlawful detention and child abduction. The detainee took his five, three-year-old and ten-month-old children from the French social services, without revealing the reasons why the father, now detained, and his wife, allegedly involved in the events but not detained, They lost custody of their children.
The events happened in France, when the person investigated went to the place where the French social services were taking care of his young son and took him by force. The other two minors were also kidnapped by the two parents while they were waiting for a foster care measure to become effective, which ultimately could not be carried out.
At that time, the French authorities issued an EAW against him and a protection order for each of the fugitive's children. These same authorities found out that the man's intention was to leave Algeria with his three children so as not to lose custody.
On July 20, through the official channels of European police coordination, the French police issued an urgent alert for the possible presence of the fugitive in Catalonia. The GRAFO began an investigation with the objective of locating and arresting the fugitive, and placing the minors under the protection of the Administration.
Investigators determined that the fugitive was using a false identity with which he would have made efforts to obtain official documentation for his children, in order to travel with them. They were able to locate him in the town of Manresa, at which time the investigation focused on locating the specific place where he lived.
Within a few hours, the Active Fugitive Investigation Group located the address where he was and found him leaving the address. When the agents asked him where his children were, he responded evasively, giving different versions. The agents went up to the home and heard children's voices behind the door, but no one opened at his request.
At this point of extreme need and urgency, given the young age of the three minors, the investigators contacted the Manresa duty court in order to authorize access to the home, in case the father did not collaborate with the police, although finally, the father authorized the police to access the apartment.
The Mossos arrested the fugitive and transferred the 3 minors to the Manresa police station, until the DGAIA took charge of them, for protection purposes.
On July 22, the person investigated was handed over to Central Court No. 1 of the National Court, which released him with charges and precautionary measures consisting of the withdrawal of his passport and the express prohibition to leave the country.
