A Russian national wanted under a court warrant for alleged involvement in organised crime has been arrested while hiding in Phuket, Thai immigration police said. The suspect, identified only as Viktor, was taken into custody on 25 July after officers searched a house in Chalong, Phuket, following an investigation by the Immigration Bureau. Authorities said he had also overstayed his permission to remain in Thailand. Extradition request from Russia Colonel Phisit Sri-on, commander of Division 2 of the Immigration Bureau’s Investigation Division, said the operation was carried out under the direction of senior immigration officials as part of Thailand’s ongoing campaign to track down foreign fugitives and immigration offenders. According to immigration police, Viktor is the subject of a court warrant issued by Thailand’s Criminal Court in response to a request from the Russian Federation. Russian authorities accuse him of leading a criminal organisation involved in serious offences, including large-scale organised fraud that allegedly caused significant financial losses. The arrest followed coordination between Thailand’s Immigration Bureau, the Office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after Russia formally sought his extradition through diplomatic channels. Investigators tracked the suspect to a property in Chalong before obtaining a search warrant from Phuket Provincial Court and carrying out the raid. Checks of immigration records also found that the suspect had remained in Thailand beyond the expiry of his permitted stay. Immigration offence and extradition process After his arrest, Viktor was charged with overstaying his permission to remain in the Kingdom and was handed over to investigators at Chalong Police Station for legal proceedings. Thai authorities said extradition proceedings will now continue in accordance with Thai law and the relevant international treaties. The Immigration Bureau said the case demonstrates close cooperation between Thai agencies and Russian law enforcement in pursuing suspects wanted for serious cross-border crimes. Immigration officials reiterated their long-standing policy that Thailand will not be allowed to become a safe haven for transnational criminals and said they will continue pursuing fugitives wanted by authorities around the world. Pictures courtesy of SiamRath Join the discussion? 26 July 2026
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