Overview
- US authorities in Miami detained 37-year-old Stefan Menzel, a German entrepreneur who had failed to appear at a scheduled court hearing in Görlitz.
- Prosecutors in Görlitz confirmed multiple criminal accusations against Menzel, including fraud, illegal gambling and tax evasion, and said several related investigations remain open.
- German officials say a criminal arrest warrant had been issued in February 2026, placed out of force in March, and that Menzel traveled to Miami instead of attending his May 26 trial.
- The Görlitz public prosecutor described the US action as an administrative immigration measure, likely linked to visa status, and noted that Miami police have not publicly detailed the legal basis for the detention.
- German authorities say they will put their warrant back into effect and proceed with prosecution once US authorities deport or hand Menzel over, with the timing and which of the several cases will be tried first still unclear.