Slovakian Fugitive Arrested in Milan While Attending Winter Olympics Hockey Match

Fugitive's Olympic Dream Ends in Arrest

A 44-year-old Slovakian man, who had been a fugitive for 16 years, was arrested in Milan, Italy, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The man was apprehended by Italian authorities after he traveled to the city to attend the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, specifically to watch his national ice hockey team compete. He was wanted for a series of shop thefts committed in Italy in 2010.

Details of the Arrest

Italian Carabinieri police tracked down the unnamed Slovakian national after he checked into a guesthouse in a Milan suburb. His identity was flagged through an automatic alert system connected to the accommodation's reception, as he was on an Italian police wanted list. He was taken into custody before he could attend the Slovakia vs. Finland ice hockey game at the PalaItalia (Santa Giulia Arena).

Charges and Sentence

The man was wanted for a 'string of shop thefts' that occurred in 2010. Following his arrest, he was transferred to Milan's central San Vittore prison. He is now set to serve a pending sentence of 11 months and 7 days for these past crimes.

Olympic Irony

Ironically, the Slovakian ice hockey team went on to win their opening game against Finland with a score of 4-1, a victory the arrested fan did not get to witness from the stands. The incident highlights the heightened security measures in place for the 2026 Winter Olympics, which officially opened on February 6, 2026, with thousands of Italian security units deployed across various venues.