Murder suspect arrested in New Zealand 14 years after his girlfriend was killed in Switzerland

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A man accused of murdering his girlfriend 14 years ago in Switzerland has been arrested in New Zealand.

The Sri Lankan national is accused of murdering Kavitha Kandiah on Dec. 13, 2000, in the city of Basel. He was arrested under a Swiss warrant Tuesday and granted name suppression by a New Zealand court.

Police say the man used false identification and travel documents to gain access to New Zealand two months after the woman was killed. He was granted New Zealand citizenship in 2004.

New Zealand doesn't have an extradition agreement with Switzerland. Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said police have been working with Swiss authorities on the case since 2011 to ensure they could make an effective arrest.

Authorities are now attempting to rescind the man's New Zealand citizenship.