Extradition proceedings will now begin against Shane O’Brien, one of Britain's most wanted men who is said to have been on the run for four years
THIS is the dramatic moment Romanian cops arrested a British fugitive over the murder of a 21-year-old man stabbed to death in an unprovoked London bar attack in 2015.
Shane O’Brien, 31, has been held over the murder of Josh Hanson and extradition proceedings will now begin to bring him back to Britain, Scotland Yard said.
Photos show O'Brien, originally from Ladbroke Grove, West London, surrounded by several cops as he lies on the ground.
He is then led away in handcuffs by two officers.
The father-of-two headed the National Crime Agency’s most wanted list after he was accused of fleeing arrest by being flown out of the country on a private plane from Biggin Hill airport following the unprovoked murder of road planner Josh at a late night bar.
On the night of his death Josh had gone to the RE Bar close to his home in Hillingdon, West London, after visiting a sick relative in hospital.
He was buying drinks when he was brutally stabbed in the neck in front of 40 shocked on-lookers at 1.15am on October 11.
A post-mortem established the cause of death as haemorrhage, inhalation of blood and an incised wound to the neck.
It is thought O'Brien fled to the Netherlands and later Dubai.
Police previously revealed that O’Brien was arrested for assault and criminal damage in the Czech Republic capital of Prague in February 2017.
But O’Brien, using the Italian alias of Enzo Mellonceli supported by false documentation, fled after being bailed before his real identity became known.
Custody photos were taken of O’ Brien showing his distinctive new owl tattoo with a death’s head skull shaped into the bird’s body under its wings spanning both shoulders.
Last year cops said he'd been travelling "extensively" with reported sightings in Gibraltar, Nice in France and Prague.
Police had offered a reward of £50,000 for his capture.
He was the subject of a European Arrest Warrant on behalf of the Met Police.
The Metropolitan Police said Mr Hanson's family have been kept up to date with developments.
After the death of her son Josh, Tracey Hanson released a poignant statement appealing for anyone with information on O’ Brien’s whereabouts to come forward.
The grieving mother said : “These past 24 months have been a living nightmare, a nightmare that I would not wish on anyone.
“I nurtured my son from the moment I saw him, held his hand while he took his first steps, handed him his school bag on his first day of school and watched him grow into a bright, capable, funny and loving young man who worked hard and provided for his family.
“We laughed and cried together and shared our innermost thoughts and secrets; he was my son and he was also my best friend.
“Imagine pouring over photos and small video clips because that is all that is left that can bring you close to almost touching your child, and imagine having to share your pain and your grieving alongside a manhunt.”
Mrs Hanson went on: “While we grieve, Shane O’Brien, the man the police would like to speak to in connection with my son’s murder, has yet to be caught and we still wait for justice.
“Justice for the most heinous crime that my son had to endure and justice to ensure that innocent people are safe.
“I hope and pray that you only ever have to imagine what I have just shared with you and it never becomes your reality because it rips at your soul and your very being.
“Please can you help us, Josh leaves behind a sister and a family who miss and love him very much.
“Take a moment to look around you and if you think you may have seen O’Brien please call the police.
“Someone has seen him and all it takes is that one phone call to help us get justice so we can grieve in peace.”
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