Ethiopian Interpol Fugitive Arrested in Bali, Extradited

Selman Mohammed Yimer, a high-profile fugitive from Ethiopia wanted for large-scale investment fraud, has been arrested at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport. The arrest was a joint operation between the Indonesian National Police's International Relations Division (NCB Interpol Indonesia) and the Directorate General of Immigration on Sunday, September 6, 2026. Brigadier General Untung Widyatmoko of the Indonesian National Police's International Relations Division stated that immediate coordination was made for the handover process. Police officers escorted the fugitive directly to Ethiopia, where he arrived on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, and was handed over to the Ethiopian National Police through NCB Addis Ababa. "Personnel from the International Relations Division of the Indonesian National Police have carried out the escort and handover of the Interpol Red Notice subject, an Ethiopian national named Selman Mohammed Yimer, for the criminal act of fraud," said Brigadier General Untung in a statement on Friday, September 18, 2026. Untung explained that Selman is a high-profile target specifically requested by NCB Addis Ababa as part of Interpol's Operation Infra Africa 2.0 Harare. His name has been on the Interpol Red Notice since April 29, 2026, followed by a formal request for arrest and extradition on September 8, 2026. Selman is accused of defrauding numerous victims in Ethiopia by impersonating representatives of investment companies and offering fraudulent investment schemes, among other deceptive tactics. The estimated financial loss to victims amounts to ETB 46,445,158, equivalent to USD 284,748.25. The team from the International Relations Division of the Indonesian National Police, along with the fugitive, arrived at Addis Ababa International Airport on Wednesday (16/9) at 12:50 local time, escorted by NCB Addis Ababa. Subsequently, the team arrived at the Ethiopian Federal Police headquarters to directly hand over Selman. "The team was directly received by Mr. Mouma, Commissioner of the Ethiopian Federal Police, who conveyed welcome greetings and high appreciation to NCB Jakarta for assisting in the arrest and repatriation to Addis Ababa," Untung stated. Untung emphasized that this fugitive handover is a tangible demonstration of the Indonesian Police's global synergy in combating transnational crime. "This is a form of commitment to cooperation between the two countries to continue fighting transnational and international criminals. The handover process proceeded smoothly," he concluded.