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Arrest in Neuchâtel: Wanted Algerian caught after forging documents!
A wanted 63-year-old Algerian was arrested at the Neuchâtel border crossing after failing to pay a fine.
Arrest in Neuchâtel: Wanted Algerian caught after forging documents!
On June 14, 2025, an arrest occurred at the border crossing in Neuenburg am Rhein that attracted the attention of the authorities. A 63-year-old Algerian citizen was checked by the federal police on a coach from Spain and turned out to be a wanted man. The arrest warrant against him had been issued for three years due to an outstanding fine of 2,800 euros, which he had not paid following a conviction for forgery in 2021, reports news.de.
The check took place as part of the usual security measures at the border, where the federal police routinely checked whether passengers on a coach from another EU country were wanted people. Since the man was unable to pay the required fine on site, he now faces a substitute prison sentence of several months, which is a direct result of the unpaid fine. These circumstances have raised alarm bells among the responsible authorities in Neuchâtel.
The legal background
The procedure is embedded in the regulations of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), which enables judicial authorities in the EU to request the arrest and surrender of people in other member states. The aim is the rapid prosecution or execution of prison sentences. The EAW works on the principle of mutual recognition of judicial decisions and applies in all EU countries. With this legal basis, the procedural rights of the suspects must be safeguarded; This includes the right to information and the involvement of a lawyer and interpreter, informs e-justice.europa.eu.
Judges must therefore keep an eye on the deadlines: a decision on the execution of the arrest warrant should be made within 60 days of the arrest. If the arrested person agrees to be handed over, this can even happen within just 10 days.
The consequences for the accused
The arrest has various consequences for the 63-year-old. In addition to the threat of a substitute prison sentence, he could also be involved in extradition proceedings as a result of the EAW trial. This is a legally complex process, but does not allow political influence. This gives the process a certain degree of transparency, but is often a stressful situation for the individual.
However, the arrest and the upcoming trial are also a reflection of the challenges the EU faces in dealing with cross-border crime. While the goal of speedy justice and prosecution is maintained, the rights of suspects must always be protected.