Three Wang Kelian Human Trafficking Suspects To Be Extradited From Thailand

BUKIT KAYU HITAM, June 2 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government will be applying for an extradition order to seek the return of three main suspects in the human trafficking case in Wang Kelian, the border town on the Malaysia-Thailand border in Malaysia’s northernmost state, Perlis in 2015 to be tried here. Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the three suspects were the masterminds in the case and were not mere assistants as claimed. “The three are now in jail in Thailand and we are in the process of obtaining the extradition order to bring them back quickly for trial in Malaysia. “We have also sent a letter through Wisma Putra (Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry) and we have met several conditions for the purpose,” he said when visiting the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) integrated project site here Thursday. Ahmad Zahid who is also Home Minister said intelligence gathered showed the suspects were the real culprits and rejected allegations that there were at least 10 primary suspects involved in the issue concerned. “After discussing with the Thai government and the minister responsible, we confirmed only three people were involved,” he said. On May 2015, the Inspector-General of Police had announced the discovery of more than 130 graves in 28 temporary camps of a human trafficking syndicate in Wang Kelian. Commenting on the issue, Ahmad Zahid said the Government was highly committed to protect the sovereignty of the country and would go all out to combat this serious issue. -- BERNAMA