British police hunt former Albanian intelligence chief

Dec 7, 2011, 12:21 GMT

London - British police are hunting a former Albanian intelligence chief who failed to turn up for a court hearing after being granted bail, Scotland Yard said Wednesday.

Detectives believe that Ilir Nazmi Kumbaro, 58, is still in Britain, after failing to attend an extradition hearing on December 1. He had been granted bail by the High Court.

Kumbaro is wanted in Albania on six charges of kidnapping and torture, relating to three individuals, the BBC reported.

Scotland Yard's extradition unit said he was not thought to pose a threat to the public, as a warrant was issued for his arrest.

'We believe that Ilir Kumbaro has not fled the UK but has in all likelihood left London and is being harboured by friends,' detective superintendent Pete Rance said.

'The seriousness of his alleged crimes is the reason we want to find him,' he said.

Kumbaro claimed asylum in Britain, posing as a Kosovan refugee, in 1996, and was later granted British citizenship. His false identity was discovered by chance when he filled in a social benefit form in 2008.

He was granted bail by the High Court, a move that was opposed by both the police and the prosecution at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court, the BBC sid.

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