A Romanian citizen listed as an Interpol red notice fugitive has been arrested in Bali following a joint operation by Indonesian authorities. The suspect, Costinel Cosmin Zuleam (33), was detained in Denpasar on January 15, 2026, after his location was detected through activity on his Facebook account.
Zuleam was arrested by a joint team involving Interpol Indonesia’s National Central Bureau (NCB), the National Police’s International Relations Division, and the Bali Regional Police. He is wanted by Romanian authorities in connection with a robbery and premeditated murder case that occurred in Romania on November 6, 2023.
“This foreign national is Europe’s most wanted fugitive,” said Bali Police Criminal Investigation Director Senior Commissioner I Gede Adhi Mulyawarman on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as quoted by Kompas.com.
Murder Case and International Manhunt
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According to the police, Zuleam and two accomplices broke into the home of a Romanian businessman in 2023. The suspects allegedly tortured the victim, which resulted in his death, and threatened the victim’s daughter with a firearm.
“The suspect and two accomplices broke into the home of a local businessman, subjected the victim to extreme torture, leading to his death, and threatened the victim’s daughter with a firearm,” Mulyawarman said.
During the robbery, the perpetrators also stole a luxury watch valued at 200,000 euros, or approximately Rp 3.977 billion, based on an exchange rate of Rp 19,886 per euro. After the incident, the suspects fled Romania.
Two of Zuleam’s associates were later arrested in Ireland and Scotland. Both were extradited and have been sentenced to life imprisonment by Romanian courts.
Zuleam became the subject of an international manhunt after the Sibiu Court in Romania issued an arrest warrant on November 19, 2023. “The suspect is known as a highly dangerous individual with a propensity for violence, and has been the primary target of an international manhunt since the court warrant was issued,” Mulyawarman said.
Arrest in Bali and Repatriation
Police records show that Zuleam entered Indonesia through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang on November 14, 2023. His whereabouts remained unknown until officers from the International Crimes Section of Interpol Indonesia’s NCB Secretariat identified a post on his Facebook account.
Following the discovery, the NCB Interpol Indonesia team coordinated with the National Police’s International Relations Division and the Bali Regional Police to conduct an undercover operation. After three days of surveillance, the suspect was arrested in Denpasar.
Senior Commissioner Ricky Purnama, Head of the NCB Interpol Transportation Division, said the suspect frequently changed residences while in Bali.
“Essentially, he disguised himself as a tourist in Bali. However, he had actually overstayed his visa in Bali in 2023,” Ricky said.
Further investigation revealed that Zuleam had married an Indonesian citizen during his time in Bali. The marriage was not publicly disclosed.`
“We found that the person in question was in a secret marriage with an Indonesian,” Ricky said during a press conference in Denpasar, as quoted by Antara.
According to Ricky, the suspect relied on his spouse’s income while evading authorities. “The person in question tried to keep a low profile. So, it means that the one earning the money was his spouse. And this was his livelihood while he was on the run,” he said.
Zuleam was repatriated to Romania via I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on Tuesday evening, January 20, 2026.
