Wanted by the police for 16 years, he was arrested at the Olympics, where he had come to see his country's national hockey team
Article by David Istrate – Published on Thursday, 12 February 2026 22:43 / Updated on Thursday, 12 February 2026 22:57
A man of Slovak nationality was arrested in Italy, 16 years after the arrest warrant issued in his name. He had come to Milan to watch Slovakia's hockey matches at the Winter Olympics.
Italian police have announced that they have arrested a 44-year-old Slovakian man who had an arrest warrant issued in his name in 2010 following a series of robberies. He had been missing for 16 years, but recently returned to Italy to watch the ice hockey match between Slovakia and Finland at the Winter Olympics.
After a series of robberies in 2010, a man disappeared for 16 years until the Winter Olympics
According to nbcnews.com, the man stayed on the outskirts of Milan and was identified by police, who arrested him and took him to San Vittore prison ahead of Slovakia's debut in the competition in Italy. He must serve a sentence of 11 months and 7 days for the robberies committed in 2010.
Slovakia's men's ice hockey team is in Group B alongside Sweden, Italy and Finland. Wednesday, February 11, Slovakia beat Finland 4-1 (1-0, 0-1, 3-0)after a double by Juraj Slafkovsky and two successful goals by Dalibor Dvorsky and Adam Ruzicka.
On Friday, February 13, Slovakia will play against the host country, and on Saturday, February 14, they will face Sweden, who opened with a 5-2 (2-1, 1-1, 2-0) victory against Italy.
Slovakia's men's ice hockey team is making its 9th appearance at the Winter Olympics and has a bronze medal won at the 2022 editionwhen he defeated Sweden in the small final, score 4-0 (0-0, 2-0, 2-0).
Slovakia also has one world gold (2002), two world silvers (2000, 2012) and one world bronze (2003).
