Kyrgyz kidnap-murder suspects arrested in Phuket

Two Kyrgyz men wanted on Interpol red notices for the abduction and murder of a fellow countryman in Kyrgyzstan have been arrested in the Patong area of Phuket.

Police and immigration officers apprehended the two men — identified only as Aiat and Adilet, both 26 — at a hotel in Kathu district of the tourist island on Friday, said Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai, commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau.

The pair were wanted in their home country on charges of kidnapping, unlawful detention, assault causing death and murder.

The case stems from an incident on April 11, when the two suspects allegedly abducted and killed a man identified as Jiang before dumping his body in a forest in Alamudun district of Chuy region in Kyrgyzstan. They later fled and went into hiding in Thailand, police said.

The Interpol office in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, coordinated with the international organisation to issue a red notice seeking the suspects’ arrest.

Thai authorities were alerted and launched an investigation, eventually tracking the pair to a hotel in Phuket.

During questioning, both suspects denied all charges.

Authorities have revoked their visas and are preparing to deport them to Kyrgyzstan, where they will face legal proceedings.