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Bangkok blasts: Iranian to be extradited to Thailand

Source:PTI
February 16, 2012 19:57 IST
Thailand on Thursday said that an Iranian national suspected to be involved in the botched bomb plot in Bangkok will be extradited from Malaysia. Masoud Sedaghat Zadeh, a suspect in Tuesday's triple bomb explosions was central Bangkok was arrested yesterday by Malaysian authorities in Kuala Lumpur.

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"The court approved his arrest warrant so the national police office will refer the case to the Attorney General's Office to coordinate for his extradition," police chief Phrewphan Dhamapong said. "We will expedite the process."

Malaysian police chief Ismail Omar said the Iranian was arrested under provisions of the Immigration Act of Malaysia following information provided by Thai authorities. He had fled Thailand and was attempting to catch a plane to Iran. The arrest of Zadeh at Kuala Lumpur's airport showed Malaysia was "very serious and committed" to addressing the threat of terrorism, its Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said in Kuala Lumpur.

"The authorities of this country will never allow Malaysia to become a location, base, or transit point for terrorists or individuals who are wanted by any other country," he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Thailand Foreign minister Surapong Tovichachaikul said Thai police were already working with Malaysian authorities for the extradition of the suspect. Bangkok Criminal Court on Thursday approved warrants or the arrest of four Iranians in connection with the incident.

Saeid Moradi, 28, was severely injured, losing both legs, and is now being treated at Chulalongkorn Hospital. Mohummad Hazaei, 42, was detained at the airport here on Tuesday night while attempting to board a plane to Malaysia.

The fourth suspect, Rohani Leila, is believed to have rented the house where the first explosion occurred. She was reported to have already returned to Tehran.

Asked whether Thailand would be stricter in issuing visas to foreigners,  Surapong said the Iranians would have to apply for a visa from the Thai embassy in Tehran. He said the Iranian suspects applied for their visas through a tour company. He had ordered officials to compile a list of tour companies and to be stricter in screening visa applicants.

He also said four more countries -- Italy, Norway, Israel and Taiwan -- had issued a travel warning to their citizens to be careful in visiting public places in Thailand, in addition to 10 countries which had done so earlier.

 

Source: PTI
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