South African Police Arrest Czech Fugitive Radovan Krejcir

"Mr. Krecjcir and associate are to appear in court on charges of kidnapping and attempted murder. This is following an intensive investigation by multi-disciplinary team of the South African police service. Warrants of arrests were obtained during the course of the week which led to the arrest that happened last night," said National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega, speaking to journalists at a news conference.It was not clear what this warrant was issued in connection with, although Phiyega did confirm that the South African police service and Interpol were working together.

"We are co-operating with the Interpol and it is one of the processes that is in court, so the SAPS (South African Police Service) is fully co-operating with Interpol," she added.

Krejcir has been fighting an attempt by South African authorities to have him extradited to the Czech Republic, where he is wanted for several crimes including tax fraud.

Krecjir has made headlines in recent weeks after several of his associates were killed in Bedfordview, near Johannesburg.

Veselin Laganin and Sam Issa were killed in two separate incidents in October while two others,Ronny Bvuma and Jan Charvat, were killed when a bomb went off at Krejcir's Money Point shop - a gold and diamond exchange in Bedfordview - on November 12. Five others were injured.

Krecjir has also survived an attempt on his life when remote-controlled shotguns opened fire on him from behind a number plate of a parked car outside his shop.

Last week, his assets were seized by the South African Revenue Service and his business manager Ivan Savov was arrested and charged with fraud involving R10 million ($1 million). The fugitive has allegedly ordered six international hits since his illegal arrival in South Africa in 2007.