Man accused of cannibalism detained at airport with 'pieces of meat' in suitcase

02 March 2023 , 14:44

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Begoleã Mendes Fernandes, 26, was arrested this week

A man has been accused of cannibalism after he was caught passing through an airport carrying a suitcase filled with pieces of meat.

Brazilian Begoleã Mendes Fernandes, 26, was arrested at Lisbon Airport and it is claimed the meat could be the human remains of 21-year-old Alan Lopes.

A source connected to the case confirmed to Fox News that Fernandes had a plastic bag with "pieces of meat" that police need to analyse for origin.

Portuguese newspapers said they suspected cannibalism, but a spokesman for the Dutch police said they were only holding the Brazilian as a "suspect of murder or manslaughter".

Mr Fernandes was arrested for falsifying documents and it was thought he may have been trying to flee the suspected murder in the Netherlands.

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It is claimed that the meat could be the human remains of 21-year-old Alan Lopes (pictured)

The victim's body was found Sunday night in the house where he lived with his mother and siblings.

Lopes may have taken in Fernandes, who had been "homeless" prior to meeting him, Dutch outlet Boevennieuws reported.

Kamila Lopes, Alan's sister, told Notícias ao Minuto that the Fernandes used to visit the family home and spend the night when he had nowhere to sleep.

Lopes also lent money to the suspect in times of financial difficulties, the sister said.

Fernandes was arrested at Lisbon Airport

The woman denies that the crime is related to debt collection and believes her brother was stabbed to death.

"After contact with the authorities of the Netherlands, the country where he [Fernandes] resided, it was confirmed that he [Fernandes] was wanted on suspicion of committing a crime of murder that occurred on February 26, in Amsterdam, which led the judicial authorities of that country to issue, already yesterday afternoon, a European Arrest Warrant for extradition [to the Netherlands] purposes," authorities said after taking Fernandes into custody.

Fernandes also allegedly had a bandage and clothing with "traces of blood" in his belongings.

Police sent him to Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon for an evaluation due to an injury to his hand.

The defendant had his initial appearance at the Administrative Court of Lisbon, and he will remain in custody and is expected to be extradited to the Netherlands within 5 days.

Rachel Hagan