The Bureau of Immigration has arrested a Russian wanted in his home country for fraud after he applied to extend his tourist visa.
Likharev Anton, aged 37, was apprehended by staff at the BI’s head office in Intramuros, Manila, when visited the Tourist Visa Section on Tuesday (March 5).
Records show that Likharev arrived in the country in 2016 as a tourist and has not left since.
He is now the subject of a ‘Summary Deportation Order’ signed by the BI Board of Commissioners in December last year. The order was issued after the BI received information that he was wanted in Russia for large-scale crimes involving the acquisition of other people’s property by means of deceit. This is in violation of Article 159, part four, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente commended the personnel who intercepted Likharev. “These men deserve commendation for their vigilance, which led to the arrest of this fugitive,” he said. “We will not allow fraudsters like him to hide in the Philippines, as they pose a risk to the public interest.”
He has now been turned over to the BI Fugitive Search Unit for commitment to the BI’s detention centre in Bicutan, Taguig, pending the implementation of his deportation.
Likharev also made headlines in 2017 after he was arrested for violating the Fisheries Code of the Philippines and a municipal ordinance when he killed a green sea turtle with a spear in Dauin, Negros Oriental. He reportedly denied that it was intention to kill the turtle, and also said that he did not know that the area was a marine sanctuary.
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