Arrested Estonian wanted by Interpol

MANILA, Philippines - An Estonian businessman, arrested in Taguig City Thursday for allegedly extorting P28,000 from a broadcaster’s son, is reportedly a fugitive in his own country and wanted by the International Police (Interpol), the Eastern Police District (EPD) said yesterday.

Urmas Saask, alias Veikoo Soori, 36, is facing at least five criminal cases – including large-scale fraud, use of counterfeit documents and submission of false information – in his country, according to Superintendent Remus Medina, EPD intelligence chief.

A check with the Philippine Center for Transnational Crimes showed that Estonia asked Interpol  to issue a red notice against Saask, requesting any country holding him to extradite him to face charges.

Medina is coordinating with Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. on what should be done as Saask and his companion, Lilian Docot, alias Ayumi Cha, 29, are facing extortion charges filed against them by Arnauld Ymanuel Clavio, 23, co-owner of the 25th Media Production and son of GMA-7 newscaster Arnold Clavio.

The vehicles of the younger Clavio and Saask figured in a minor traffic accident in Mandaluyong City on Jan. 29. While Clavio was taking photos of the damage to his car with his iPhone 5, Saask grabbed the cell phone and demanded P28,000 as payment for the damage to his Mercedes Benz SL5.

Upon orders of EPD director Chief Superintendent Miguel Laurel, Saask and Docot were arrested in Taguig City after they received marked money from Clavio.

Medina filed robbery-extortion charges against Saask and Docot last Friday. City inquest prosecutor Arthur Pefianco ordered both released from police custody and directed Saask to appear before him on Feb. 19 and 26 for the preliminary investigation of the case.

Saask wanted to go straight to the airport after receiving Pefianco’s release order but Laurel ordered him detained further because of Estonia’s Interpol red notice.

The Estonian embassy said Saask has not appeared before the embassy since 2009. Fernando Peña, the embassy’s honorary consul, said they are still checking Saask’s records in his native country.

Saask listed himself as a student, but he and Docot are engaged in the distribution of cell phone spare parts imported from China, Medina said.

He added that Saask is being held at the EPD’s District Special Operations Unit detention center pending David’s decision on his fate.

Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Antonette Mangrobang said BI records show that Saask arrived in 2009 and was supposed to stay for only 29 days.

She said that even if Saask is an overstaying alien, he would not be deported until the criminal case Clavio lodged against him has been settled. – With Evelyn Macairan