Brit arrested in UAE over shooting of gangster in Costa del Sol

A British man has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates over a Costa del Sol murder.

The unnamed 43-year-old is facing extradition to Spain so he can be charged over the killing of a 36-year-old Serbian man, who was shot several times in the back during an alcohol and drug-fuelled house party in August in a villa in Estepona.

Spanish police have said they are not naming the Briton, but have indicated he appeared before a UK court a 'few years' ago over an attempted murder. They gave no more details of his problems with British justice.

The man who was shot dead was carrying a Belgian ID card which turned out to be fake. He was later identified as a Serbian gangland fugitive.

The fatal shooting happened around 8.45am on August 12.

The alleged organiser of the after-hours party, a Cuban national, was reportedly squatting in the house and has since been deported.

A spokesman for Spain's National Police in Malaga confirmed the Brit's arrest: 'The suspected author of the crime, a 43-year-old British man, was arrested a few days ago in the United Arab Emirates on an international arrest warrant and is currently being held in prison there pending the resolution of the extradition process.

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'The alleged organiser of the event where the crime occurred, a Cuban man who has previously been linked to problems of public disorder and the unlawful occupation of Costa del Sol homes, has been deported for five years.'

Before the British man's arrest police spoke to witnesses and recovered bullet casings as well as other evidence.

Police said witnesses had pointed to the 'consumption of drugs and alcohol' as a possible spark for the argument said to have led to the Serbian's death.

Although the Cuban alleged organiser of the party was deported at the end of last month, detectives admitted overnight authorities in the Czech Republic had readmitted him to Europe after he 'exercised his right to intentional protection' and avoided his forced return to Cuba.

Police have not said where in the United Arab Emirates the Brit was arrested. Its most populous city is Dubai which as well as being a popular tourist destination has in recent years become a notorious hideout for British and Irish criminals including Dublin-born crime gang boss Daniel Kinahan.