A Swedish teenager has been arrested on suspicion of murdering prominent plastic surgeon Alexander Aslani, who was shot dead at his clinic in Marbella, southern Spain.
The 18-year-old was taken into custody shortly after 6pm local time, approximately a day after the 57-year-old surgeon was killed. Spanish police confirmed the arrest in a brief statement, identifying the teenager as the suspected perpetrator of the fatal shooting.
Authorities have not released further details about the suspect or disclosed what may have motivated the attack. Investigators are continuing to establish who was responsible for the killing and whether anyone else was involved.
Masked gunman reportedly fled on a motorbike
The attack took place at the Cirumed Clinic, the facility founded and operated by Aslani, just east of Marbella’s town centre.
According to reports, a masked gunman entered the premises and shot the surgeon several times in the head in front of people inside the clinic before escaping.
The suspected attacker reportedly left on a Yamaha maxi-scooter, while an accomplice was said to have been waiting in a black Audi. Police are investigating the circumstances of the escape and whether the killing was organised by others.
The arrest marks a significant development in the investigation, although it does not establish whether the teenager acted alone or who may have arranged the attack.
Investigators examine possible revenge motive
Before the arrest was announced, Spanish media reports suggested detectives were examining whether Aslani had been targeted in a planned killing connected to an unhappy former patient.
Regional outlet 101TV reported that investigators were considering a possible link to the death of a wealthy South American patient during surgery and allegations of retaliation organised by relatives. However, people close to Aslani reportedly disputed the suggestion, insisting he had never lost a patient in such circumstances.
Local newspaper Sur subsequently reported that a client had allegedly sent threatening messages to the clinic hours before the shooting. The messages were said to express dissatisfaction with the results of a treatment and demand a refund.
Neither account has been established as the motive for the killing. Police have not publicly confirmed a connection between the reported messages, the alleged patient-related dispute and the fatal shooting.
The investigation is focused on determining why Aslani was killed and whether the suspected gunman was acting on instructions from another person.
Surgeon built an international reputation
Aslani was a recognised figure in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, with a career spanning several countries and a social media following of approximately 200,000 on Instagram.
He worked as a consultant plastic surgeon at London’s Highgate Hospital from 2007 to 2009 and previously held a similar position at Dolan Park Hospital in Bromsgrove, near Birmingham.
His surgical training began in South Africa, while his family also had a long history in medicine. His father, Dr Amir Aslani, was described as one of the pioneers of modern mastectomy techniques in Germany during the 1970s.
Beyond private practice, Aslani participated in humanitarian surgical work through Interplast, an international network of non-profit organisations providing free reconstructive procedures to communities with limited access to healthcare.
He reportedly led annual paediatric plastic surgery missions in Kolkata, India, where children from disadvantaged backgrounds received operations for conditions including cleft lip.
Celebrity patients pay tribute to the surgeon
Aslani treated several television personalities and celebrities, including former The Only Way Is Essex star Chloe Sims and reality television figure Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace.
Sims publicly thanked him in 2018 after undergoing a Brazilian butt lift. That same year, Love Island personality Hannah Elizabeth also credited the surgeon after receiving the same procedure.
Following news of his death, Horgan-Wallace expressed shock and grief in posts on Instagram, describing Aslani as a kind person with a generous heart and a strong sense of humour.
She also sent her condolences to his wife, children and clinic team, recalling that she had spent time with the family and saying his death had deeply affected her.
Plastic surgeon Dr Adel Quttainah also paid tribute, describing Aslani as an exceptional doctor and a kind person whose memory would endure.
Family and community mourn loss of father of two
Aslani was married to Jeannine, who was described on the clinic’s website as its director of nursing. She is believed to have been at a nearby aesthetic and anti-ageing treatment centre when the shooting occurred.
The couple had two children.
Age Concern Estepona, an organisation that had received support from the family, expressed sadness over the killing and highlighted their contributions to people experiencing hardship.
A spokesperson said the family had helped the organisation with food for homeless people, including during the difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A friend and patient, Nance Lala Van der Veken, also shared an emotional tribute, describing Aslani as both a trusted surgeon and a friend who had made a lasting impact on her life.
The tributes reflect the personal and professional relationships he maintained beyond his work at the clinic.
Marbella faces renewed scrutiny over gun violence
Aslani’s killing comes amid a series of shootings and other violent incidents reported along Spain’s Costa del Sol, a popular international tourist destination.
In September, a 20-year-old man identified as Nacho was shot dead in a square in Málaga. Three Swedish nationals of Somali origin were arrested in connection with that case. Reports suggested the suspects may have mistaken the victim for a hitman, although police had stated that he had no known links to criminal activity.
Another shooting occurred near a four-star hotel in Marbella on 8 September, when a Dutch man was wounded in the leg in an incident reportedly linked to rivalry between drug gangs. Three suspects were arrested following a police chase along the resort’s Golden Mile.
A Senegalese man was also killed in Marbella during the same period, while a 47-year-old Turkish national was shot in the face at a seafront restaurant on 22 September and was reported to be in critical condition.
These incidents have intensified concerns about organised criminal activity in the region, although authorities have not established any connection between those cases and Aslani’s murder.
Police uncover suspected torture site in Estepona
The wider concerns about violent crime were reinforced by a separate police operation in Estepona earlier in September.
Officers were called to a property after a woman raised fears for her partner’s safety. A Moroccan man reportedly emerged from the house covered in blood and pleaded for help, prompting police to request reinforcements before entering the premises.
Inside, officers found another man, a Spanish national, tied to a chair and suffering visible injuries. Both men were reportedly naked and covered in blood when rescued.
Spanish media reported that one room had been lined with plastic sheeting and contained tools including pliers and hammers. Police also seized two AK-47 assault rifles and several handguns.
The woman who contacted authorities reportedly became concerned after her partner failed to contact her within the 20-minute period he had specified. She called the police after waiting approximately 40 minutes.
Seven Georgian nationals believed to be connected to the property were arrested, according to reports. Investigators are examining why the men were allegedly being held and tortured.
Investigation into Aslani’s murder continues
Police have yet to disclose a confirmed motive for Aslani’s killing or provide details of the evidence that led to the teenager’s arrest.
The reported disputes involving former patients remain lines of inquiry rather than established explanations for the murder. Investigators are also seeking to determine whether the suspected gunman had accomplices and who may have organised the attack.
Aslani’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from relatives, friends, patients and colleagues, while the investigation continues to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.
