BI arrests Russian fugitive wanted for fraud
Bureau of Immigration INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ ALEXIS CORPUZ
MANILA, Philippines — A Russian national wanted for large-scale fraud in his country was arrested in Intramuros, Manila, on Tuesday afternoon, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Wednesday.
BI officials identified the Russian fugitive as Likharev Anton, 37, who was arrested after attempting to extend his temporary visitor’s visa at the BI main office in Intramuros, Manila.
Likharev has been wanted by the Russian courts for large-scale crimes involving acquisition of other people’s property by means of deceit. The BI board of commissioners issued a summary deportation order against him in December 2018.
BI records show that Likharev arrived in the country in 2016 as a tourist and has not left since.
The BI said the Russian national made headlines in 2017 after he was arrested for violating the Fisheries Code of the Philippines and a municipal ordinance after killing a green sea turtle with a spear in Dauin, Negros Oriental.
He reportedly denied having the intention to kill the turtle and insisted that he did not know that the area is a marine sanctuary.
The BI said Likharev was turned over to the agency’s Fugitive Search Unit for commitment to the BI’s detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig, pending the implementation of his deportation.
“We will not allow fraudsters like him to hide in the Philippines, as they pose a risk to public interest,” BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement. /jpv
