Thailand Charges Iranian Bomb Suspects

[webfact]

Thailand charges Iranian bomb suspects

by Boonradom Chitradon

BANGKOK, February 15, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand charged two Iranians Wednesday over an alleged bomb plot against Israeli diplomats, officials said, piling pressure on Tehran amid accusations of a terror campaign against the Jewish state.

Tensions between the Middle East arch-foes have risen sharply following three bomb incidents in world capitals in less than 24 hours, but Iran angrily rejected accusations that it was to blame.

On Monday bombers targeted Israeli embassy staff in India and Georgia before escaping.

In Bangkok, two Iranians were detained over three blasts which rattled the city Tuesday. They were charged with causing an illegal explosion and other offences, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said.

"We cannot say yet if it's a terrorist act," he told reporters, "but it's similar to the assassination attempt against a diplomat in India."

One of the men -- named as 28-year-old Saeid Morati -- had his legs blown off as he hurled an explosive device at Thai police while fleeing an earlier, apparently unintended, blast at a house in the Thai capital, officials said.

He was unconscious but in a stable condition, according to the Bangkok hospital where he was treated.

A second Iranian suspect was detained trying to board a flight out of the country while a third suspect is believed to have fled to Malaysia, they said.

"These three Iranian men are an assassination team and their targets were Israeli diplomats including the ambassador," a senior Thai intelligence official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Their plan was to attach bombs to diplomats' cars."

Israel accused Iran of orchestrating attacks on Israeli embassy staff in India and Georgia on Monday.

An Israeli diplomat in New Delhi suffered grave shrapnel wounds when a motorbike assailant attached a bomb to her car on Monday.

Iran, which has already denied responsibility for the Delhi and Tbilisi incidents, said it had no link to the Bangkok blasts and blamed what it called "elements linked with the (Israeli) Zionist regime".

Observers, however, noted that the use of motorbike assassins to blow up targets' cars closely mirrored the method used to murder nuclear scientists in Iran in the past two years, raising the possibility of Iranian payback and a vicious covert war between the Middle East foes.

Thai police said explosives and magnets were found inside the house in a residential area of Bangkok where the first blast occurred, shattering windows and causing the roof of the building to collapse.

"I saw two Middle Eastern looking men covered with blood run out from the house," said Da Klond, a housemaid living opposite. "Broken glass was thrown across the street and fell in our garden."

Bangkok has been on the watch for a terror attack since police last month charged a Lebanese man suspected of planning a strike, following a US warning that tourist areas might be targeted.

Thai authorities alleged the Lebanese man had links to Hezbollah, an Iranian- and Syrian-backed Muslim Shiite group that is blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by Washington.

Israel was quick to accuse Iran of involvement in Tuesday's blasts in Bangkok.

"The attempted attack in Bangkok proves once again that Iran and its proxies are continuing to act in the ways of terror and the latest attacks are an example of that," Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said.

Israel's ambassador to Thailand, Itzhak Shoham, told AFP that the Bangkok suspects appeared to be "part of the same network" that targeted Israeli embassy staff in India and Georgia.

The United States condemned the Bangkok blasts and voiced concern about a worldwide "uptick" in such violence, including some with alleged links to Iran.

The terror scare is another blow to the kingdom's tourist-friendly image, which was badly dented last year by devastating flooding as well as rounds of rival political protests in recent years.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-02-15

[webfact]

Metropolitan Police to issue arrest warrants for 4 more Iranian suspects; details haven't been released yet /TANN

[webfact]

BOMBER SUSPECT

Third Iranian bomb suspect already in Malaysia: police

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5058002

[webfact]

Iranian Suspect in Stable Condition

BANGKOK: -- Chulalongkorn Hospital reveals the Iranian suspect, who was believed to be behind yesterday's triple blasts in Sukhumvit Soi 71, is now in stable condition in the ICU under tight security by the police.

However, the suspect is still unable to give testimony to the police.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-15

[Jingthing]

Chulalongkorn Hospital doctor says Iranian suspect in stable condition in ICU under strict security; suspect still can't give testimony /TANN

So he gets free medical treatment but Joe Blow F-rang without insurance or a wheelbarrow of cash gets kicked to the curb?

[rubl]

Thailand charged two Iranians Wednesday over an alleged bomb plot against Israeli diplomats, officials said

What is the official charge, 'minor symbolic act', 'throwing grenades without a license', 'causing harm and damage through irresponsible acts', 'being bad men' ?

Edited February 15, 2012 by rubl

[webfact]

Iran condemns Bangkok blasts: spokesman

TEHRAN, Feb 15 (Xinhua) -- Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast on Wednesday condemned Bangkok blasts.

Mehmanparast rejected the accusations levelled at Iran by Israel and denied any links with the Bangkok blasts on Tuesday, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry website.

According to the reports, in an explosion in Bangkok on Tuesday an Iranian suspect had his legs blown off while he tried to throw a grenade at the Thai police.

On Tuesday, Israel accused Iran of being involved in the "terrorist act" and said that "the United Nations is now " in one of its crucial moments to try to implement its mandate by stopping the nuclear program of Iran," which insists its program is for "peaceful" purposes.

On Wednesday, Mehmanparast also accused the "elements of the Zionist regime (of Israel) as responsible for this crime." (Xinhua)

-- TNA 2012-02-15

[catmac]

Chulalongkorn Hospital doctor says Iranian suspect in stable condition in ICU under strict security; suspect still can't give testimony /TANN

So he gets free medical treatment but Joe Blow F-rang without insurance or a wheelbarrow of cash gets kicked to the curb?

Sadly, Jing, that would seem par for the course all over. Feckless or criminal scum always seem to be looked after from the tax-payers' purse, while the decent citizens are left to fend for themselves.

As an aside, interesting to see how many apologists for Iran have emerged in the many threads on this topic. Anytime now I expect to be reliably informed that Mossad actually ran Auschwitz!

[rubl]

Chulalongkorn Hospital doctor says Iranian suspect in stable condition in ICU under strict security; suspect still can't give testimony /TANN

So he gets free medical treatment but Joe Blow F-rang without insurance or a wheelbarrow of cash gets kicked to the curb?

Sadly, Jing, that would seem par for the course all over. Feckless or criminal scum always seem to be looked after from the tax-payers' purse, while the decent citizens are left to fend for themselves.

As an aside, interesting to see how many apologists for Iran have emerged in the many threads on this topic. Anytime now I expect to be reliably informed that Mossad actually ran Auschwitz!

Getting a bit off topic, but an accusation of 'Mossad running Auschwitz' seems unlikely as I'm reliably informed that the Iranian President has said for all to hear that the Holocaust never took place.

[wolf5370]

Thailand charged two Iranians Wednesday over an alleged bomb plot against Israeli diplomats, officials said

What is the official charge, 'minor symbolic act', 'throwing grenades without a license', 'causing harm and damage through irresponsible acts', 'being bad men' ?

I was thinking the same

[AngryParent]

Thailand charged two Iranians Wednesday over an alleged bomb plot against Israeli diplomats, officials said

What is the official charge, 'minor symbolic act', 'throwing grenades without a license', 'causing harm and damage through irresponsible acts', 'being bad men' ?

It probably won't be a criminal charge at all - don't forget, the official line is it is NOT terrorism. However, he might face civil legal action from angry tour operators for loss of business! Ooops, just forgot, the last headline was that the tourisim minister said this will have minimal effect - so, there goes all legal action against the Iranian. He may be entitled to compensation, just like those down south!

[rubl]

Thailand charged two Iranians Wednesday over an alleged bomb plot against Israeli diplomats, officials said

What is the official charge, 'minor symbolic act', 'throwing grenades without a license', 'causing harm and damage through irresponsible acts', 'being bad men' ?

It probably won't be a criminal charge at all - don't forget, the official line is it is NOT terrorism. However, he might face civil legal action from angry tour operators for loss of business! Ooops, just forgot, the last headline was that the tourisim minister said this will have minimal effect - so, there goes all legal action against the Iranian. He may be entitled to compensation, just like those down south!

You mean to say that if the policeman hadn't been in the way, our Iranian tourist wouldn't have lost his legs and therefor the Thai government should compensate him? Makes sense, somehow, I think

[geriatrickid]

Thailand charged two Iranians Wednesday over an alleged bomb plot against Israeli diplomats, officials said

What is the official charge, 'minor symbolic act', 'throwing grenades without a license', 'causing harm and damage through irresponsible acts', 'being bad men' ?

The charge is needed to detain these people. Other charges will most likely follow, should these people survive.

[rubl]

Thailand charged two Iranians Wednesday over an alleged bomb plot against Israeli diplomats, officials said

What is the official charge, 'minor symbolic act', 'throwing grenades without a license', 'causing harm and damage through irresponsible acts', 'being bad men' ?

The charge is needed to detain these people. Other charges will most likely follow, should these people survive.

One is unharmed, just apprehended at the airport. The other is in worse shape, but with the medical care he gets will probably survive.

As for the charge, the OP only mentioned 'charged over an alleged bomb complot'. It doesn't say what the charge is. Things may have been lost in translation again, but as you say further charges may be filed against them later on.

[Steely Dan]

Chulalongkorn Hospital doctor says Iranian suspect in stable condition in ICU under strict security; suspect still can't give testimony /TANN

So he gets free medical treatment but Joe Blow F-rang without insurance or a wheelbarrow of cash gets kicked to the curb?

Sadly, Jing, that would seem par for the course all over. Feckless or criminal scum always seem to be looked after from the tax-payers' purse, while the decent citizens are left to fend for themselves.

As an aside, interesting to see how many apologists for Iran have emerged in the many threads on this topic. Anytime now I expect to be reliably informed that Mossad actually ran Auschwitz!

At least they'll save some costs as a pair of leg irons won't be needed for one of them.

[bigbamboo]

Chulalongkorn Hospital doctor says Iranian suspect in stable condition in ICU under strict security; suspect still can't give testimony /TANN

So he gets free medical treatment but Joe Blow F-rang without insurance or a wheelbarrow of cash gets kicked to the curb?

Sadly, Jing, that would seem par for the course all over. Feckless or criminal scum always seem to be looked after from the tax-payers' purse, while the decent citizens are left to fend for themselves.

As an aside, interesting to see how many apologists for Iran have emerged in the many threads on this topic. Anytime now I expect to be reliably informed that Mossad actually ran Auschwitz!

At least they'll save some costs as a pair of leg irons won't be needed for one of them.

He will able to enjoy a kantoke dinner in comfort too.

[GentlemanJim]

Chulalongkorn Hospital doctor says Iranian suspect in stable condition in ICU under strict security; suspect still can't give testimony /TANN

So he gets free medical treatment but Joe Blow F-rang without insurance or a wheelbarrow of cash gets kicked to the curb?

But surely even you would want this criminal kept alive at all costs in order that he can undergo a full 'debriefing', in order to find out the names of those up the chain who commanded him to carry out the bombings.

[metisdead]

A post with disgu*sed profanity has been removed as well as the replies to that post. If you don't want your posts deleted, drop the pr*fanity.

[Mosha]

Can they rub pig fat on his wounds, to ensure he travels to the right place if he dies?

[Unkomoncents]

The charge: pay me. Did you catch that: "Pay m..." You're good. You're good.

On another note, the Iranian capacity with conventional explosives is not so good (exhibit A). Imagine the nuclear capacity?! That won't be nice. I'm not saying such and such people don't deserve nuclear whatnot...Just sayin'.

Edited February 15, 2012 by Unkomoncents

[nurofiend]

at least they don't have to worry about him doing a runner from the hospital.

[animatic]

Chulalongkorn Hospital doctor says Iranian suspect in stable condition in ICU under strict security; suspect still can't give testimony /TANN

So he gets free medical treatment but Joe Blow F-rang without insurance or a wheelbarrow of cash gets kicked to the curb?

All emergency cases get treatment in hospitals until stable.

Once stable shipped to hell hole, free, Gov. Hospitals.

[Jingthing]

Chulalongkorn Hospital doctor says Iranian suspect in stable condition in ICU under strict security; suspect still can't give testimony /TANN

So he gets free medical treatment but Joe Blow F-rang without insurance or a wheelbarrow of cash gets kicked to the curb?

All emergency cases get treatment in hospitals until stable.

Once stable shipped to hell hole, free, Gov. Hospitals.

I was being flip. I realize he is valuable to keep alive so that he can be interrogated. However, I hope he can be interrogated by the Israeli and American experts on these kinds of international terror matters. So what happens to him if he survives? Thai prison hospital? Edited February 15, 2012 by Jingthing

[chinook]

Chulalongkorn Hospital doctor says Iranian suspect in stable condition in ICU under strict security; suspect still can't give testimony /TANN

So he gets free medical treatment but Joe Blow F-rang without insurance or a wheelbarrow of cash gets kicked to the curb?

Sadly, Jing, that would seem par for the course all over. Feckless or criminal scum always seem to be looked after from the tax-payers' purse, while the decent citizens are left to fend for themselves.

As an aside, interesting to see how many apologists for Iran have emerged in the many threads on this topic. Anytime now I expect to be reliably informed that Mossad actually ran Auschwitz!

At least they'll save some costs as a pair of leg irons won't be needed for one of them.

He'll get a wheelchair with one wheel instead.

[z12]

"Thailand charges Iranian bomb suspects"

Are they getting the other one from Malaysia too?

Edited February 15, 2012 by z12

[Jingthing]

"Thailand charges Iranian bomb suspects"

Are they getting the other one from Malaysia too?

Best guess is no. Malaysia would be a safe haven for such criminals.

[z12]

"Thailand charges Iranian bomb suspects"

Are they getting the other one from Malaysia too?

Best guess is no. Malaysia would be a safe haven for such criminals.

Or the southern provinces.

Edited February 15, 2012 by z12

[geriatrickid]

"Thailand charges Iranian bomb suspects"

Are they getting the other one from Malaysia too?

Best guess is no. Malaysia would be a safe haven for such criminals.

My expectation is that he gets shipped back to Thailand after an extradition hearing. The law is the law and the accused has legal rights, This includes the right to an extradition hearing. May take some time though. All depends on how much heat is brought to bear on Malaysia.

[DonW]

Any ideas what happened to the chap who lost his legs? Was he sentenced?

Cheers

• 
  

[Fozfromoz]

Any ideas what happened to the chap who lost his legs? Was he sentenced?

Cheers

• 
  

I hear he is working the comedy circuit. His character is a low down bum.