Malaysia needs more time to extradite suspected Iranian
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Malaysian authorities have extended the extradition process for a detained Iranian allegedly involved with the Bangkok blasts as time is needed to complete legal matters, Thai police chief Pol Gen Prewpan Dhamapong said on Monday.
He was referring to Tha request for Malaysia to extradite Masoud Sedaghatzadeh who the Thai side suspected of involving in the Valentine’s day blasts and managed to flee to Malaysia.
The Iranian was arrested by the Malaysian authorities in Kuala Lumpur while he was preparing to board a plane to his country on the day of explosions.
Masoud was the third suspect allegedly involved with the explosions in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit 71 area on February 14.
Gen Prewpan said the extradition process is underway and that the Malaysian authorities had to seek further detention as the suspect has already been held for 14 days.
Malaysia are considering Thailand's extradition request, but it will take time to review legal matters and procedures, he said.
Thai police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayo revealed that Malaysia’s public prosecutor has already received the extradition request and relevant documents from Thailand, and that would forward the letter to the Malaysian court to decide whether the detainee will be extradited to Thailand or not.
In related developments, Thai Immigration Police commander Pol Lt Gen Wiboon Bangthamai said an Iranian couple earlier detained for questioning was released on Monday after investigators found no links to the suspects.
The couple, Rahimi Rad Iraj, a chef, and his wife Mahboobh Tasbehi lived at the Nasa Vegas Tower in eastern Bangkok’s Khlong Ton area, as had Iranian suspect Leila Rohani who earlier left Thailand.
Another Iranian, Madani Seyed Mehrded, 33, detained Sunday as police with a search warrant raided room number 21434 on the 14th floor of the same apartment, remained in custody.
Gen Wiboon said although the detainee denied his involvement with the Iranian group, he remained in police lockup as his visa had expired in September.
