A 53-year-old man has been arrested in Orihuela Costa on a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Finnish authorities for alleged defamation and harassment. The offences are said to have taken place in 2022 and 2023 and carry a possible prison sentence of up to eight years.

Spain’s National Police said the alert was passed to officers in Alicante by the International Fugitives Group of the Judicial Police, amid suspicions the man was living in the province. Investigators located him staying in a motorhome in Orihuela Costa, where he was detained.

According to police, the alleged offences took place in the Finnish towns of Imatra and Ruokolahti. The man is accused of posting around 3,000 messages on social media channels and online forums which allegedly defamed another person, causing significant harm. The posts were said to contain false information and were linked to the rejection of two bids in a public tender process, with reported losses of more than 20,500 euros.

Police also allege that at least 130 messages were directed at a second individual, leading to cancelled work with clients. The suspect has been brought before the Central Court of the Audiencia Nacional, which will oversee the extradition process.