New Delhi, India, August 11 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday said India was formally notified of the arrest of Indian national Varun Batchigari in Germany in connection with the alleged first-degree murder of his girlfriend in Arizona and that it remains in touch with U.S. authorities as the case develops.
Responding to a query at the biweekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the ministry was informed that Batchigari had been apprehended in Germany after allegedly committing the serious crime in Arizona.
“This is our understanding that he was apprehended in Germany. So we were informed of this particular Indian national that he has committed a serious crime or is alleged to have committed a serious crime in the state of Arizona,” Jaiswal said.
“Subsequent to that, we also informed our authorities here who are part of the law enforcement mechanism. Subsequent to that further, we understand that he was apprehended in Germany, in Berlin, and we remain in touch with the U.S. authorities on this particular matter to ascertain more details in regard to the case,” he added.
According to Fox News California, 20-year-old Batchigari is accused of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend, Julissa Rubi Salazar, in Tucson, Arizona. The Tucson Police Department said he was arrested in Germany and is awaiting extradition to Pima County, where he faces charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping.
Police allege that Salazar was found dead in her Tucson apartment with signs of trauma. Investigators said Batchigari allegedly strangled her before taking her phone and bank cards and using the latter to travel to Tucson International Airport. He then reportedly flew to Houston before traveling to Germany, where authorities arrested him.
Police said Batchigari had planned to travel onward to India. His arrest was facilitated by the FBI’s Tucson office and the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Berlin.
The case also drew attention to Batchigari’s previous interactions with law enforcement. According to a felony warrant cited by Fox News Carolina, he had previously been involved in an assault case handled by the University of Arizona Police Department and was expelled from the university following a fight.
Court documents also reportedly cite allegations of previous domestic violence and sexual assault. (ANI)
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