A RAPE suspect who has been on the run for more than two years should be facing justice in Lancashire within weeks.

Fakhar Zaman, 39, wanted for questioning over a November 2009 sex attack at a house in Burnley, is currently believed to be in Barcelona.

Zaman, also known as Cheema Nalaz and Shah Nawaz-Cheema, failed to answer police bail in February 2010 over the alleged rape.

It was initially thought that he might be working in a restaurant or takeaway within this country and Lancashire Police made him the subject of an appeal on BBC’s Crimewatch programme in July last year.

But he is now understood to have fled to the continent via the Channel Tunnel but has reportedly said he is unable to return as he does not hold a valid passport.

Detectives have been seeking a European arrest warrant to secure the return of Zaman, who has been in contact with police, who said they are close to securing his extradition.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “We are hopeful that this will be resolved within the next couple of weeks.”

Zaman, who also has links to the Manchester area, had offered to return voluntarily for questioning, as he no longer wants to remain a fugitive, it has been reported.

He has claimed he had made attempts to return to the UK but was arrested by French police when he attempted to smuggle himself back into the country in the back of a lorry.