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Suspected football match-fixer Admir Suljic arrested in Italy Suspected football match-fixer Admir Suljic arrested in Italy
(7 months later)
Suspected football match-fixer Admir Suljic has been arrested after landing at Milan's Malpensa airport on a flight from Singapore, Italian police have said.Suspected football match-fixer Admir Suljic has been arrested after landing at Milan's Malpensa airport on a flight from Singapore, Italian police have said.
Suljic is wanted by judicial authorities in the city of Cremona investigating a massive match-fixing case that has already brought the arrests of more than 50 people, with more than 150 under investigation.Suljic is wanted by judicial authorities in the city of Cremona investigating a massive match-fixing case that has already brought the arrests of more than 50 people, with more than 150 under investigation.
Police said Suljic, who was detained on Thursday morning, had been on the run since December 2011 and was considered a "key element" in the Last Bet operation. Police added that he spent significant time in Singapore in close contact with the alleged fixing organisation's chiefs.Police said Suljic, who was detained on Thursday morning, had been on the run since December 2011 and was considered a "key element" in the Last Bet operation. Police added that he spent significant time in Singapore in close contact with the alleged fixing organisation's chiefs.
Earlier on Thursday, the Interpol secretary-general, Ronald Noble, said Singaporean police had notified authorities in Italy that a suspected match-fixer was flying to Milan.Earlier on Thursday, the Interpol secretary-general, Ronald Noble, said Singaporean police had notified authorities in Italy that a suspected match-fixer was flying to Milan.
Speaking at a conference in Malaysia, Noble said the man was wanted in Italy because he was allegedly working for Singaporean businessman Tan Seet Eng, known as Dan Tan, for whom Italian authorities have issued an arrest warrant.Speaking at a conference in Malaysia, Noble said the man was wanted in Italy because he was allegedly working for Singaporean businessman Tan Seet Eng, known as Dan Tan, for whom Italian authorities have issued an arrest warrant.
Italian police said Suljic wanted to turn himself in to Italian authorities and that he faced charges of criminal association and sports fraud.Italian police said Suljic wanted to turn himself in to Italian authorities and that he faced charges of criminal association and sports fraud.
Noble said earlier the arrest would be "important because the world believes that law enforcement can't do anything to take down this criminal organisation, the world believes that [Tan] and his associates can't be touched, that they are above the law".Noble said earlier the arrest would be "important because the world believes that law enforcement can't do anything to take down this criminal organisation, the world believes that [Tan] and his associates can't be touched, that they are above the law".
In November, Serbian footballer Almir Gegic, who had also been wanted by Italian authorities, turned himself in at Malpensa.In November, Serbian footballer Almir Gegic, who had also been wanted by Italian authorities, turned himself in at Malpensa.
Tan is accused of heading a crime syndicate that made millions of dollars betting on rigged Italian football matches. Italian officials have been unable to take Tan into custody as the arrest warrant cannot be served while he is in Asia.Tan is accused of heading a crime syndicate that made millions of dollars betting on rigged Italian football matches. Italian officials have been unable to take Tan into custody as the arrest warrant cannot be served while he is in Asia.
"We will follow the rule of law," Noble said. "The hope is that [the suspect] will co-operate with law enforcement and tell us all he knows.""We will follow the rule of law," Noble said. "The hope is that [the suspect] will co-operate with law enforcement and tell us all he knows."
Acknowledging that Singapore had come under criticism for not detaining Tan, Noble said authorities there were restrained because they had to follow their own laws and could only take action when there was enough evidence.Acknowledging that Singapore had come under criticism for not detaining Tan, Noble said authorities there were restrained because they had to follow their own laws and could only take action when there was enough evidence.
However, Noble added that investigators worldwide have been slow to catch up with match-fixers because they were so far "not properly prepared to work together" and share enough information with their international counterparts.However, Noble added that investigators worldwide have been slow to catch up with match-fixers because they were so far "not properly prepared to work together" and share enough information with their international counterparts.
Fifa's head of security, Ralf Mutschke, said at the Malaysian conference he hoped Tan would be brought to face the courts with the help of Singaporean authorities.Fifa's head of security, Ralf Mutschke, said at the Malaysian conference he hoped Tan would be brought to face the courts with the help of Singaporean authorities.
Singapore's police have said they are reviewing information submitted by the Italian authorities in Tan's case before deciding what action to take.Singapore's police have said they are reviewing information submitted by the Italian authorities in Tan's case before deciding what action to take.
The Singapore police force announced on Thursday that four senior officers from the SPF and Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau would be heading to the Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France, to join the global anti-match-fixing taskforce.The Singapore police force announced on Thursday that four senior officers from the SPF and Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau would be heading to the Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France, to join the global anti-match-fixing taskforce.
Tan's former associate, Wilson Raj Perumal, has alleged to Italian investigators that Tan placed syndicate wagers on fixed games using Asia-based online betting sites via intermediaries in China.Tan's former associate, Wilson Raj Perumal, has alleged to Italian investigators that Tan placed syndicate wagers on fixed games using Asia-based online betting sites via intermediaries in China.
A report by the European Union's police agency this month said organised crime gangs, including ones in Asia, have fixed or tried to fix hundreds of football matches around the world.A report by the European Union's police agency this month said organised crime gangs, including ones in Asia, have fixed or tried to fix hundreds of football matches around the world.
Europol said its 18-month review found 380 suspicious matches in Europe and another 300 questionable games outside the continent, mainly in Africa, Asia and South and Central America.Europol said its 18-month review found 380 suspicious matches in Europe and another 300 questionable games outside the continent, mainly in Africa, Asia and South and Central America.
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