Russian fugitive arrested in Manila

The Bureau of Immigration on Wednesday said it has arrested a Russian fugitive wanted in his home country for fraud.

Anton Likharev, 37, was arrested at the BI Tourist Visa Section on Tuesday after he tried to extend his temporary visitor's visa at the bureau's headquarters in Intramuros, Manila, the BI said in statement.

He is allegedly wanted by Russian courts for "large-scale crimes involving acquisition of other people's property by means of deceit." He is to be detained at the bureau's detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig pending his deportation.

Likharev was also arrested in the Philippines in 2017 for allegedly spearing and killing a green sea turtle in Dauin, Negros Oriental. He said he did not intend to kill the endangered animal.

The BI said records show the Russian man arrived in the country in 2016 as a tourist and has not left since.

"We will not allow fraudsters like him to hide in the Philippines, as they pose a risk to public interest," BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said in the statement. — Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/RSJ, GMA News