Global police agency Interpol suspects 41-year-old Rifat Hadziahmetovic, from Montenegro, is a member of the Pink Panthers, a loose association of about 200 criminals blamed for a string of heists across the world.

The crooks are thought to have staged some 120 attacks on luxury stores in about 20 countries, since their first robbery in London's exclusive Mayfair district in 2003.

Hadziahmetovic was arrested on March 18 as he attempted to leave the east Mediterranean island of Cyprus on a forged Bulgarian passport.

Spain wants him extradited on suspicion of armed robbery at a jewellery shop in Spain, a court in Cyprus heard on Tuesday.

The gang are thought to have pulled off one of their most spectacular heists last December, when they walked away with up to 85 million euros ($113 million) worth of goods after entering the Harry Winston jewellers in central Paris disguised as women.

Judicial authorities ordered Hadziahmetovic's detention until April 6.


Reuters