Search Warrants Issued for Mocro Mafia Kingpin
Karim Bouyakhrichan, the notorious leader of the ‘Mocro Mafia’, is once again on the run, 36 days after his escape from Marbella. Two search and arrest warrants have been issued for Bouyakhrichan, who is considered one of the most dangerous criminals in the Netherlands. He was arrested in January on the Costa del Sol, but was released in February and has been at large since his court appearance on 1 April. The warrants issued on 7 May are a European arrest warrant and an international arrest warrant.
Release and Escape Causes Uproar in the Netherlands
The release and subsequent escape of Bouyakhrichan has caused a stir in the Netherlands, where his initial capture was celebrated. This comes after the Mocro Mafia had threatened to kill Princess Amalia of Orange, the heiress to the Dutch throne. Bouyakhrichan’s release in February was due to a decision by the Malaga provincial court.
The Story Behind the Escape
The saga began on 10 January when Bouyakhrichan was ordered to be remanded in custody by the Marbella magistrate’s court. He was accused of leading a money laundering scheme. However, his imprisonment lasted just over a month. On 22 February, the Malaga provincial court released Bouyakhrichan with minimal precautionary measures, including the withdrawal of his passport, the obligation to appear in court every 15 days, and the payment of a bail of 50,000 euros.
Surprising Release Despite Opposition
The Malaga Court of Appeal made the decision to release Bouyakhrichan despite strong opposition from the Anti-Drugs Prosecutor’s Office and the fact that the Netherlands had already begun the process of obtaining his surrender. The release order acknowledged the risk of Bouyakhrichan absconding, given his foreign citizenship and lack of real estate in Spain.
Spanish High Court’s Inaction
The Spanish High Court received an arrest warrant for Bouyakhrichan from the Dutch authorities, but it was not activated due to pending cases in Spain. The Dutch authorities then sent an extension of the surrender warrant, arguing the extreme urgency of the transfer of Bouyakhrichan. However, the Spanish High Court did not issue an arrest warrant and it is not known why.
Anger in the Netherlands Over Escape
The escape has caused outrage in the Netherlands. The liaison judge met with magistrate Ismael Moreno to express concern over the release and escape of Bouyakhrichan, who was described as the “most wanted and dangerous criminal in the Netherlands”. Bouyakhrichan, a Dutchman of Moroccan origin, is the brother of Samir Bouyakhrichan, who was murdered in 2014 and from whom he inherited the leadership of one of the most important groups of the Mocro Mafia.
