Suspect was promised trip to Turkey for planting Erawan bomb

[webfact]

ERAWAN BOMB BLAST
Suspect was promised trip to Turkey for planting bomb
JESSADA JANTARAK,
JITRAPORN SENWONG,
JIRASAK WONGJANKHAM
THE NATION



Says he was told to attack busy shrine, hopes confession will win leniency

BANGKOK: -- A PRIME suspect in the Erawan Shrine bomb attack has told his lawyer that he was promised an opportunity to travel to Turkey if he planted the bomb as near to the crowded religious site as possible.

Bilal Mohammed, previously identified as Adem Karadag, spoke to his lawyer Chuchart Kanphai in English yesterday.

The attack took place on August 17, killing 20 people and injuring more than 100 others.

The following day, another blast near the Sathorn pier did not cause any casualties. Ongoing investigations suggest the two blasts were related.

"Bilal is aware that his alleged crime carries a heavy penalty and hopes his confession will entitle him to leniency," Chuchart said after visiting his client at a temporary prison inside a military base.

Chuchart said Bilal has reiterated that he is an Uighur but has refused to specify his hometown in China out of concern his relatives and friends may be affected.

"His family is in Turkey. So, he wanted to go to Turkey too," Chuchart said.

He said Bilal stood by his previous statement that he did not know any other suspects wanted in the case except Abdullah Abdullahman, who allegedly told him to plant the bag containing the explosives and provided him with a wig in a bid to disguise himself.

"Bilal received the order [to carry out the attack] from Abdullah on August 16," he said. "Abdullah had promised to help him travel to Malaysia and further to Turkey after he carried out his order."

Chuchart said Bilal did not know the extent of the destruction his action had caused because he did not have access to TV.

"When I showed him the pictures of the attack, he appeared crestfallen and feels guilty," the lawyer said.

Chuchart said he planned to visit Bilal again in two weeks. Bilal and Mieraili Yusufu are the only suspects in detention in Thailand. Several other suspects remain on the run.

Police spokesman Lt-General Prawut Thavornsiri said the investigation report for the prosecution of Bilal and Mieraili should be concluded within 24 days.

Prawut disclosed that police will ask the Foreign Ministry to invite officials from the Turkish embassy to discuss the case. "For instance, we have to check passports involved in the case and locate where [suspects] Wanna Suansan and Emrah Davutoglu are," he said. Emrah is a Turkish national married to Wanna, a Thai.

A Turkish man was intercepted at the Nong Khai immigration checkpoint yesterday because he looks like a man wanted in the bombings. The 37-year-old denied any wrongdoing. He said he had lived with his family in Khon Kaen.

The authorities are investigating.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Suspect-was-promised-trip-to-Turkey-for-planting-b-30270491.html


-- The Nation 2015-10-09

[Chang_paarp]

So the suspect can suddenly speak English well enough to communicate with his lawyer. As a result the need for a Uighur speaking translator. I would have thought his first communication would be to sack the lawyer and find one who will actually defend him.

[Oziex1]

Are we to believe terrorists with a serious murderous agenda trusted the final execution of their plan to some nobody who wanted a free trip.

Once again I join the majority of posters in my disbelief of all the authorities and this "ah hem" lawyer say.

[Srikcir]

With a defense attorny like Chuchart, the State doesn't need a prosecutor.

[NongKhaiKid]

Object lesson for anyone who gets into serious trouble with the law here, just remember that anything you say to the lawyer supposedly looking after your interests and think it's in confidence BE ADVISED he can't wait to get out and release what you said to the media.

[FangFerang]

It's too soon to tell if the plot is thickening or if the smoke is smudging the mirrors.

I have suspicions, but that's what they are-- suspicions.

[Artisi]

Isn't fun waiting each day with bated breath for the latest update on the ongoing comedy investigation.

[MaxLee]

Suspect was promised trip to Turkey for planting bomb

Sounds like a typical hand-picked RTP statement, served for the public

[Bender]

suspect was promised a free plane ticket, and also a happy meal mc donalds

with extra cheese, and a large coke if he kills few dozen people.

How can you resist an offer like this one?!

jing jing, thats no bs!

[Torrens54]

If he wanted a Trip to Turkey, he's Cooked His Goose now !

[paymaster]

Object lesson for anyone who gets into serious trouble with the law here, just remember that anything you say to the lawyer supposedly looking after your interests and think it's in confidence BE ADVISED he can't wait to get out and release what you said to the media.

But the lawyer is looking after his interest. I think that for an Uigher life in Turkey compared to life in the "BKK Hilton" would be of indiscernable difference.

[phycokiller]

looks like the powers that be dont want the public to know who ordered it. Im assuming that since the case is closed they figured out that minor detail