Costinel-Cosmin Zuleam, a suspect in a brutal Romanian murder, blended into local life on the island through a religious marriage while evading an international manhunt, police reveal.
DENPASAR, Bali — During his two years as a fugitive in Bali, Costinel-Cosmin Zuleam, one of Europe’s most wanted men, adopted a strategy of extreme discretion. New details from Indonesian police reveal the Romanian national, 33, went as far as entering into an informal religious marriage (nikah siri) with an Indonesian woman in an effort to maintain a low profile and avoid detection.
The revelation came during a press conference on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, following Zuleam’s arrest in a coordinated operation on January 15.
“At the time we made the arrest with the Bali Police team, we discovered the individual had married with siri status to an Indonesian citizen,” said Kombes Ricky Purnama, Head of the Transnational and International Crime Section at Indonesia’s Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB).
A Calculated Disappearance
Zuleam, the subject of an Interpol Red Notice for his alleged role in a violent 2023 home invasion and murder in Sibiu, Romania, had been living quietly. “He tried not to be too conspicuous or maintain a low profile, so the one with an income was actually his partner,” Ricky explained, indicating Zuleam relied on his spouse financially to avoid drawing attention.
Authorities stressed that the Indonesian woman was unaware of her partner’s status as an internationally wanted fugitive. “At the time of his arrest, his partner did not know he was a fugitive,” Ricky confirmed.
The Crime: A Brutal Quest for Crypto and Valuables
Police provided grim new details about the crime that triggered the manhunt. The motive extended beyond the theft of luxury watches worth approximately 200,000 euros. According to Ricky Purnama, Zuleam and two accomplices tortured the male victim in an attempt to gain access to his cryptocurrency accounts.
“The suspect was detected attempting torture to obtain crypto accounts. The torture was carried out because the victim tried not to give them,” Ricky stated. The violence, which escalated in brutality, ultimately resulted in the victim’s death. The assailants also reportedly involved and psychologically terrorized the victim’s young daughter during the ordeal.
Two accomplices were previously captured in Ireland and Scotland and are now serving life sentences.
From Global Manhunt to Bali Arrest
Zuleam entered Indonesia through Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on November 14, 2023, shortly after the crime. His trail eventually led authorities to Bali, where he managed to evade capture for over two years. His arrest was the result of a joint operation involving the National Police’s International Relations Division, the Indonesian Interpol NCB, and local Bali police forces.
The case exposes how international fugitives can attempt to exploit the relative anonymity and social structures of a destination like Bali. It also highlights the effectiveness of persistent cross-border police cooperation in piercing that anonymity. Zuleam remains in custody in Bali, awaiting extradition proceedings to face trial in Romania.
Hey Bali News reports on significant legal and security cases that intersect with the island’s international community.
