ONE OF Europe’s most wanted men has been arrested in Blackburn town centre.

Gunnar Simanis was being hunted on suspicion of torturing and murdering an 80-year-old woman in Estonia.

On Thursday afternoon a car was pulled over by police in Barbara Castle Way, Blackburn, for having no insurance.

The 39-year-old was taken to Greenbank police station - where officers realised he was on Interpol’s ‘most wanted’ list and subject to a European arrest warrant.

Yesterday Simanis, who had been living near Blackburn town centre, was set to be deported after appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court at an extradition hearing.

According to Estonian reports, Simanis fled court in Viru, Northern Estonia, in May while standing trial for the torture and murder of 80-year-old Maria Minejeva.

He was one of three men accused of tying up then beating her to death after she refused to give them money to buy vodka, in June 1999.

Three men who had been previously convicted of the crime were released in 2002 and awarded compensation.

Lancashire police said Simanis had been pulled over by a traffic officer on Thursday at 3.30pm, on suspicion of driving without a licence or insurance.

It is not known how long he had been living in Blackburn. He was not charged in Blackburn, but sent to London in custody for yesterday’s hearing.

Simanis was listed on the Interpol website as being accused of ‘crimes against life and health’.

A spokesman said it was likely Simanis would be removed from its most wanted list once he had been extradited.

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