How international crime boss got caught in Dubai

DANISH NATIONAL MEKKY WAS WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH VARIOUS CASES

Danish national Amir Faten Mekky, wanted by Interpol for murder, drug trafficking and money laundering, was arrested after a carefully-planned operation. He had eluded security forces across Europe. Mekky is an associate of Radwan Al Taghi, boss of the Angels of Death gang, who was arrested in Dubai in 2019 and extradited to Holland

Amir Mekky, a Danish national described as one of the most dangerous international gang leaders, has been arrested by Dubai’s State Security, an official said yesterday.

Mekky was arrested on Wednesday after a secret intelligence operation in Dubai.

According to the official from Dubai’s State Security, Mekky had eluded security forces across Europe and was at large for years.

Amir Faten Mekky is the leader of one of the most notorious international crime rings — involved in murder, drug trafficking and money laundering — the official said in a statement. Mekky, was on the Interpol list and wanted for premeditated murder. All efforts to arrest him had gone in vain when he was in Europe.

Arrest at residence

The official said, according to intelligence inputs, Mekky had entered the UAE in 2018.

Special forces from Dubai State Security then swung into action and arrested Mekky at his residence in the early hours of Thursday.

According to the official, Mekky is currently being interrogated and preparations are underway to hand him over to the relevant authorities.

“The sting operation happened under exceptional circumstances due to movement restrictions in Dubai and the precautionary measures to curb Covid-19,” the official said.

“We formed a legal team in cooperation with Dubai Public Prosecution and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to issue the arrest warrant and hand him over to the concerned authorities.”

The official said the highprofile arrest sends a clear message that Dubai will not tolerate international criminal activities.

In January, international newspapers said Mekky, 22, was on the run after escaping a raid by 120 Spanish police on his hideout in November 2018.

According to officials, Mekky is currently being interrogated and preparations are underway to hand him over.

A screengrab from footage shared by Dubai Media Office shows an individual identified as Amir ■ Faten Mekky disposing rubbish outside a residence in Dubai.