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Fugitive Ex-Niemeyer Director Arrested in Portugal as Extradition Process Advances

He is held pending surrender after an eight-year sentence for embezzlement at the cultural center was upheld.

Overview

  • Portuguese police detained Natalio Grueso on December 4 in Olhão, acting in coordination with Spain’s Guardia Civil.
  • Authorities cited a European arrest warrant and an Interpol Red Notice issued by Spain in connection with his case.
  • He was brought before the Évora appeals court and ordered into custody, with subsequent confinement reported in Beja while surrender procedures are completed.
  • He holds a final eight-year sentence for continued embezzlement, falsification of documents and related corporate offenses tied to the Centro Niemeyer between 2006 and 2011.
  • His lawyer says transfer to Spain was initially planned for December 15 following medical checks in Portugal, with a road handover via Badajoz toward Madrid and local reports pointing to Soto del Real prison.