International Arrest Warrant Issued for Suspect in High-Speed Chase Incident in Budapest
DNA evidence confirms identity of driver involved in high-speed collision, prompting international search.
The Budapest Police Headquarters has announced the issuance of an international arrest warrant for Sergei Tiganciuc, a Moldovan national, in connection with a high-speed traffic incident that occurred on January 5, 2025. According to the police, Sergei Tiganciuc was identified as the driver of an Audi S8 that collided with a family vehicle after fleeing a police checkpoint in Budapest's XXII district.
The arrest warrant follows a DNA test conducted by the National Expert and Research Centre, which confirmed the genetic evidence found in the Audi S8 did not match the previously suspected identity of Tiganciuc Calin, Sergei's brother.
Instead, the DNA evidence indicated a direct familial relationship, implicating Sergei as the driver.
The police have clarified that the confusion over the driver's identity arose because Sergei Tiganciuc used his brother's identity.
Authorities have also confirmed that the pursuit began in Budapest's XI district and ended in the XXII district, where the Audi collided with a Ford Galaxy carrying seven people, including three children.
All occupants were hospitalized with injuries.
Sergei Tiganciuc managed to flee the scene on foot after the accident, prompting an immediate manhunt.
The Hungarian court issued the international arrest warrant on January 17, acting on a request from the Budapest Police and the prosecutor's office.
The suspect is charged with endangering public safety and other related crimes.
Calin Tiganciuc had previously been sentenced to 3 years and 10 months in prison for human trafficking, a crime for which he was convicted in November by the Hajdúböszörményi District Court.
Calin's sentence also includes a ban from re-entering Hungary for 7 years and 8 months.
The police continue to investigate why Sergei was in Hungary at the time of the incident.
This incident is not Sergei's first encounter with law enforcement.
Authorities previously attempted to question him in March 2024, following his involvement in human smuggling operations with a transnational criminal group focused on trafficking Nepalese migrants to Western Europe.
On that occasion, Sergei had evaded police in Nyíradony by fleeing the scene when approached by officers.
The arrest warrant follows a DNA test conducted by the National Expert and Research Centre, which confirmed the genetic evidence found in the Audi S8 did not match the previously suspected identity of Tiganciuc Calin, Sergei's brother.
Instead, the DNA evidence indicated a direct familial relationship, implicating Sergei as the driver.
The police have clarified that the confusion over the driver's identity arose because Sergei Tiganciuc used his brother's identity.
Authorities have also confirmed that the pursuit began in Budapest's XI district and ended in the XXII district, where the Audi collided with a Ford Galaxy carrying seven people, including three children.
All occupants were hospitalized with injuries.
Sergei Tiganciuc managed to flee the scene on foot after the accident, prompting an immediate manhunt.
The Hungarian court issued the international arrest warrant on January 17, acting on a request from the Budapest Police and the prosecutor's office.
The suspect is charged with endangering public safety and other related crimes.
Calin Tiganciuc had previously been sentenced to 3 years and 10 months in prison for human trafficking, a crime for which he was convicted in November by the Hajdúböszörményi District Court.
Calin's sentence also includes a ban from re-entering Hungary for 7 years and 8 months.
The police continue to investigate why Sergei was in Hungary at the time of the incident.
This incident is not Sergei's first encounter with law enforcement.
Authorities previously attempted to question him in March 2024, following his involvement in human smuggling operations with a transnational criminal group focused on trafficking Nepalese migrants to Western Europe.
On that occasion, Sergei had evaded police in Nyíradony by fleeing the scene when approached by officers.
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