Former French Foreign Legionnaire Evades Extradition in International Kidnapping Case
A former soldier of the french Foreign Legion, Dāvids Krūmiņš, is currently avoiding extradition to Germany where he is accused of orchestrating a kidnapping. The case highlights a growing trend of highly trained mercenaries being employed by organized crime syndicates, a phenomenon europol warns is perhaps exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
According to a statement released by the Latvian Prosecutor’s Office, the extradition process began after a decision came into force under the contry’s Criminal Procedure Law. The State Police were instructed to transfer Krūmiņš to German law enforcement officials. Though,despite being informed of the time and location for handover,Krūmiņš failed to appear.
“Confirmation of receiving this information was received from the person to be extradited,” a spokesperson for the State Police stated, “however, the person to be extradited did not appear at the specified time and place.”
The inquiry, which began with a detention in November 2025, revealed a complex plot to kidnap the head of an Albanian drug trafficking ring. The intended victim is reportedly linked to the theft of several tons of marijuana valued at millions of euros. An international operation, led by German police and involving Latvian, Danish, and french authorities, and also Europol, resulted in the arrest of four Latvian nationals in Germany last November.
The operation targeted a group of mercenaries hired by a rival criminal institution. Further arrests followed in France, Denmark, and Great Britain, bringing the total number of suspects detained to eight. A man born in 1990, identified as the organizer of the kidnapping, was detained in Riga by the state Police’s Anti-terrorism Unit “Omega” on Wednesday. Two additional suspects had previously been sentenced in Germany following an earlier arrest in October 2014.
Krūmiņš, known in Latvian media as a television personality and influencer, previously served for eight years in the French Foreign Legion. In past interviews, he claimed to have worked in a close protection unit with aspirations of forming a private army, and recounted being captured for 35 days during a training exercise in Myanmar.
Europol officials emphasize that this case is indicative of a disturbing trend. “The investigation shows that former special forces employees are often used,” one analyst noted. “This is indicative of a worrying trend emerging from the war in Ukraine. Former combat-trained soldiers, returning from the front, could use their skills for the needs of organized crime, thus creating a potential danger.”
The Prosecutor’s Office has reminded the public that assisting a fugitive is a criminal offense and is urging anyone with information regarding Krūmiņš’s whereabouts to contact the State Police promptly. The Latvian court previously rejected a request to detain Krūmiņš, citing his willingness to cooperate with authorities. He remains under international arrest while authorities continue their search.
Why did this happen? Dāvids Krūmiņš,a former French Foreign Legionnaire,is accused of orchestrating the kidnapping of the head of an Albanian drug trafficking ring,reportedly linked to a multi-million euro marijuana theft. A rival criminal organization allegedly hired Krūmiņš and a team of mercenaries to carry out the abduction.
Who was involved? The key figure is Dāvids Krūmiņš,the alleged organizer. Latvian, Danish, French, and German police, along with europol,
