PHUKET, THAILAND – Thai special forces detained two Kyrgyz nationals in Patong who were wanted under an Interpol red notice on suspicion of kidnapping and murder in their home country.
Arrest at a hotel in Patong district
Officers from a special operations unit and the Thai Immigration Bureau identified and arrested the two men at a hotel in Patong. The suspects had entered Thailand using valid travel documents and had stayed in the tourist area.
The detainees were identified as Kyrgyz citizens Aiat and Adilet, both 26 years old. According to authorities, both names appeared on Interpol’s red notice list, the organisation’s highest level of international alert.
Allegations: Kidnapping and fatal attack in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz authorities accused the men of kidnapping a man named Jiang on 11 April and subsequently killing him. The victim’s body was later found in a remote forested area in Chuy province.
Immediately after the alleged crime, the two suspects left Kyrgyzstan and travelled to Thailand. Investigators in Kyrgyzstan then submitted an international request for assistance to Interpol.
Coordination between Thai and international authorities
The Thai Immigration Bureau evaluated intelligence and located the suspects on Phuket. Police said coordination between national and international law enforcement agencies proceeded without complications.
The arrest itself took place without resistance, according to officials. Both men were questioned by the authorities immediately after being taken into custody.
Suspects deny involvement
During questioning, both men rejected all allegations made against them. They denied any involvement in the kidnapping and death of the victim.
Their permission to stay in Thailand was immediately revoked. The men were placed in immigration detention and were to be handed over to Kyrgyz authorities, where criminal proceedings had been initiated.
Entry checks and international wanted notices
The case raised questions about how Interpol data were checked during the entry process. Thai authorities had not commented on why the wanted individuals were able to enter the country without being detained immediately.
Thai police highlighted the successful identification and arrest as a result of international cooperation. Further details on the extradition process were not disclosed.