Fugitive businessman Alejandro Hamlyn arrested in Dubai area
Listen to the story
Spanish businessman Alejandro Hamlyn has been arrested in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, after months on the run.
Hamlyn, who is from the Basque Country, is described by police as the mastermind behind a fraud worth 154 million euros. Fraud is a crime where people trick others to get money.
He worked in the hydrocarbons sector, an industry that includes oil and gas.
Before his arrest, Hamlyn was a fugitive, meaning he was hiding from the police. He had left Spain to avoid being caught.
Interpol, the international police organisation, carried out the arrest. Interpol helps police in different countries work together.
The case became known because of audio recordings. These recordings show Hamlyn talking with a woman named Leire DÃez.
According to reports, Hamlyn and DÃez discussed impunity, which means avoiding punishment for a crime.
The two are also said to have searched for damaging information, sometimes called trapos sucios or 'dirty laundry', about the UCO. The UCO is a special unit of the Spanish Civil Guard that investigates serious crimes.
The story has drawn attention in Spain because it links a large financial fraud case with claims about trying to influence or discredit police investigators.
Officials have not given further details about when Hamlyn will be sent back to Spain or what happens next in the case.
Vocabulary8 words
- mastermind
- the main person who plans a big, often bad, plan
- fraud
- a crime of tricking people to get money
- hydrocarbons
- materials like oil and gas used for energy
- fugitive
- someone hiding from the police
- Interpol
- a police organisation that works across many countries
- audio
- recorded sound, like someone's voice
- impunity
- not being punished for a crime
- UCO
- a special crime unit of the Spanish Civil Guard
Quiz
Answer key
1. A fraud worth 154 million euros 2. Interpol 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Spanish businessman Alejandro _____ has been arrested in Abu Dhabi.
Hamlyn is described as the _____ behind a fraud worth 154 million euros.
He worked in the _____ sector, which includes oil and gas.
Before his arrest, Hamlyn was a _____, hiding from police.
_____ carried out the arrest, working across countries.
The case became known because of _____ recordings with Leire DÃez.
Hamlyn and DÃez are said to have discussed _____, meaning avoiding punishment.
They also searched for damaging information about the _____.
The story links a fraud case with claims about influencing police _____.