Thai police investigate DNA, fingerprints of suspects

BANGKOK, February 26 (TNA) - Police have not yet concluded that stickers with the word “SEJEAL”, found in areas where three bombs exploded in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit 71 Road on February 14, were printed in Germany and brought into Thailand for terrorism purposes, said deputy national police chief Pol. Gen. Pansiri Prapawat on Sunday. Police investigators are still probing the original source of the stickers as well as checking surveillance cameras installed in the area where the bombs exploded to check who is responsible for posting the stickers, Pol. Gen. Pansiri said. Declining to disclose details, he said some of the surveillance cameras could record pictures of the suspects while tests on DNA and fingerprints obtained from documents and receipts at the hotel where the suspects stayed earlier matched with those apprehended Iranian suspects, he said. They could be used in taking legal actions against the suspects, Pol. Gen. Pansiri said. To date, two Iranian suspects are in Thai police custody. They are identified as Saeid Moradi, 28, who lost both legs from his own explosive device, and 42-year-old Mohammad Hazaei. On a request urging the Malaysian government to send the third suspect identified as Masoud Sedaghatzadeh to face charges in Thailand, he said the Kuala Lumpur authorities have extended good cooperation. Mr. Sedaghatzadeh was apprehended by Malaysian authorities in the Malaysian capital on February 15 after fleeing to that country. Thai police are reportedly looking for another Iranian bombing suspect. The suspect worked as a chef at a hotel around Soi Nana off Sukhumvit Road and stayed with his wife at a rented apartment in Klong Tan area. Police believed the unidentified man was also involved in the bombing incident. Damages are estimated at 5.9 million baht, excluding compensation for those who received injuries, Pol. Gen. Pansiri said. Police are scheduled to hold a meeting this Tuesday to discuss the progress. (TNA)