Man wanted in Germany over alleged kidnapping arrested in Cork massage parlour, court hears

High Court Reporters

A man wanted in Germany over alleged kidnapping offences was arrested this week in a Cork city massage parlour, the High Court has heard.

Khalid Kurshid (57), a German-Pakistani national, was remanded in custody on Friday after gardaí told Judge Richard Humphreys the man’s daughter was a “high risk missing person”.

A detective told the court that Kurshid initially told gardaí that his daughter was in Germany with his ex-girlfriend, but later provided an address in Pakistan for her.

The court heard German authorities sought Kurshid’s arrest by way of a Schengen Information System (SIS) alert, a sophisticated European Union-wide database of wanted suspects and missing people.

Kurshid, of Main Street, Killorglin, Co Kerry, is wanted in connection with alleged “kidnapping, illegal restraint or hostage-taking”, according to the SIS alert.

Led in evidence by barrister Jane Murphy, Det Stg Michael McGrath told the judge he arrested Kurshid at Yang Sheng massage parlour on Marlborough Street, Cork city on Thursday on foot of the SIS alert.

After he was cautioned, Kurshid stated, “I knew this was coming, it is from Germany… it is my daughter, I have custody now”, Det McGrath said.

Interpol and Europol are carrying out enquiries as to the whereabouts of the child, a “high-risk missing person”, Det McGrath said.

Kurshid says he has been living in Ireland for the past year, McGrath said.

He said he was satisfied Kurshid was the person named in the SIS alert.

Barrister Brian Storan, for Kurshid, asked the judge to make an order for Kurshid to be produced in court next week for a bail application.

The judge said he was satisfied Kurshid was the person named in the SIS alert.

He granted the order sought by lawyers for the Minister of Justice, and remanded Kurshid in custody. He also made an order for an Urdu interpreter to be present when the case returns.

The judge “encouraged” Kurshid to co-operate with gardaí in respect of the missing person.