Four Syrians 'not connected to IS'; one files lawsuit

[webfact]

Four Syrians 'not connected to IS'; one files lawsuit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Four Syrians whose photographs went viral on the Internet were found to have no connection with Islamic State (IS), national police spokesman Pol General Dechnarong Sutticharnbancha affirmed yesterday.

One of the four, Hagop Kassanbian, 57, has reportedly filed libel charges against the person who leaked his passport photo and information onto social media, acting Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Sanit Mahathaworn said.

Dechnarong also said the national police chief had already ordered an investigation into the leaking of a Special Branch document on a Russian intelligence agency warning that IS members may have entered Thailand. The inquiry will kick off today.

Deputy police spokesman Pol Maj-General Songpol Wattanachai said the police team led by deputy police chief Pol General Sriwara Ransibhramanakul, was checking to see if the publishing of the confidential document stemmed from an intention to create chaos, and whether the person behind the leak should face prosecution.

Three Syrians, identified as Nawfal Hassoun, 34; Mouayad Hayati, 29; and Abdul Aziz Arouk, 44; presented themselves at Lumpini Police Station on Sunday and were cleared by police after more than three hours of interrogation. Kassanbian presented himself to police in Chaiyaphum province.

After interrogation, police only found that one Syrian had overstayed his visa, while two others were waiting to extend their visa.

Meanwhile, Thai national Patcharin Piromkit told reporters in Chaiyaphum that she had been married to Kassanbian for 10 years and that they had three sons.

The Russian agency had claimed 10 Syrians entered Thailand in October in a bid to attack Russian interests in retaliation for strikes on IS strongholds in Syria.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Four-Syrians-not-connected-to-IS;-one-files-lawsui-30274493.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-08

[webfact]

Police say four Syrians are not connected with ISIS



BANGKOK: -- Four Syrians who were held by police for questionings have been cleared of any suspicion that they might have links with ISIS, Pol Lt-Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, deputy commissioner of metropolitan police bureau, said on Monday.

The four Syrians were identified as Nawfal Hassoun, 34; Abdul Aziz Arouk, 44; Mouyad Haeyati, 29 and Hagop Kassanbian,57.

Police said that Hassan reported himself to Thung Mahamek police to show his innocence after someone posted his picture on the social media accusing him of being linked to ISIS terror group. Arook works as a singer whereas Gassabian was located by police in Chaiyaphum province.

None of them have any connection with the ISIS but all of them have overstayed their visas, said Pol Lt-Gen Saanit.

Gassabian has been living in Thailand for over 10 years has lodged a complaint with the police after his passport and picture were posted on the social media suggesting that he might be linked with ISIS.

Pol Maj-Gen Songpol Wattanachai, deputy spokesman of the National Police Office, however, said that the four Syrians would still be held for further questioning to make sure that they are definitely not connected with the ISIS.

In the meantime, Pol Gen Sivara Rangsipromnakul, deputy police chief, said the investigation about how the Russian intelligence report about

possible presence of ISIS terrorists in Thailand which was sent to the Thai police was leaked to the media is still under way.

He said the probe was intended to find out whether the person or persons who leaked the report had ill intent towards the country or not.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/police-say-four-syrians-are-not-connected-with-isis


-- Thai PBS 2015-12-08

[berybert]

One of them has lived in Thailand for 10 years and has a wife and 3 kids. And he is on an overstay or waiting to renew his visa depending on what report you read.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall when these guys where being questioned.

Q Are you a member of ISIS ?

A No.

Ok you can go then. Next one.

[docshock13]

Ooops. Looks like someone forgot to read the procedure manual on dealing with suspects, making public statements etc.

Silly me! There isn't one. Just following RTP SOP on this one again: "Just make things up as you go along so long as it looks like we are doing something."

[Artisi]

Oops!!!!, only in Thailand is it allowed for the BIB to keep shooting themselves in both feet

[shirtless]

What happened to discretion there only crime was being Syrian ,

[chrisinth]

Good luck to the guy who is filing the lawsuit.

It amazes me that in a country which has such strict libel and defamation laws, that when a crime is even suspected, the willingness to provide personal details to the media of alleged offenders by the RTP is there.

Even in this case, where possible terror links may have been at work, the very fact that the data wasn't confirmed before being given to the media (1 out of the 4 was on overstay, not all 4 as was originally stated) shows disregard for their own laws and regulations.

Imagine if it was your details being released for something you are totally unaware off..............................

[kingalfred]

Interesting that 1 out of 4 overstayed visa, about the average. 1000s overstay, its la regular activity

[NongKhaiKid]

Good luck to the guy who is filing the lawsuit.

It amazes me that in a country which has such strict libel and defamation laws, that when a crime is even suspected, the willingness to provide personal details to the media of alleged offenders by the RTP is there.

Even in this case, where possible terror links may have been at work, the very fact that the data wasn't confirmed before being given to the media (1 out of the 4 was on overstay, not all 4 as was originally stated) shows disregard for their own laws and regulations.

Imagine if it was your details being released for something you are totally unaware off..............................

Good luck indeed.

If the suit is accepted I hope he's got lots of patience as this could take longer than forever to be heard and disposed of.

Meantime he better watch his back as there's a chance grounds for deportation might magically be found.

[mancub]

Well done in ascertaining that these 4 seemingly randomly chosen individuals, who all voluntarily made themselves known ,are not IS connected ,,

How about finding or disclosing more information about the 10 who are supposedly suspected of being a threat.....but who have gone missing ???

[arrowsdawdle]

One of them has lived in Thailand for 10 years and has a wife and 3 kids. And he is on an overstay or waiting to renew his visa depending on what report you read.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall when these guys where being questioned.

Q Are you a member of ISIS ?

A No.

Ok you can go then. Next one.

Exactly, in a country where 'an inquiry is set to kick off today', perhaps expecting IS operatives to answer "yes" to being affiliated exonerates them when they answer "no." At least until

[Cynical Sailor]

[micmichd]

One of them has lived in Thailand for 10 years and has a wife and 3 kids. And he is on an overstay or waiting to renew his visa depending on what report you read.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall when these guys where being questioned.

Q Are you a member of ISIS ?

A No.

Ok you can go then. Next one.

Having lived in Thailand for 10 years with a family should be evidence enough to demonstrate you're peaceful.

[tuanku]

Mr Hagop Kassanbian had his profile on the internet for all to see. Even the most casual check by a police officer would have told them that he was not hiding, was easily contactable (the listing contains his phone number) and that there was no need to publicly humiliate him in this way. I wish him all the best with his libel suit and hope that the culprit will be identified so that he can be prosecuted, which will be easier than suing the entire RTP. Unfortunately libel suits work well against private individuals but he can expect a tough time taking on a government institution.

[bangon04]

"One of the four, Hagop Kassanbian, 57, has reportedly filed libel charges against the person who leaked his passport photo and information onto social media"

He is probably suing them for defamation for telling everyone he is a muslim.......

[micmichd]

I would (and will) sue anyone that calls me a "terrorist" in public, which in fact happened in Germany in 1977.

[Petchou]

One of them has lived in Thailand for 10 years and has a wife and 3 kids. And he is on an overstay or waiting to renew his visa depending on what report you read.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall when these guys where being questioned.

Q Are you a member of ISIS ?

A No.

Ok you can go then. Next one.

Do you think sometimes before writing?

Is there any terrorist who is going to go meet police voluntary?

[Petchou]

"One of the four, Hagop Kassanbian, 57, has reportedly filed libel charges against the person who leaked his passport photo and information onto social media"

He is probably suing them for defamation for telling everyone he is a muslim.......

Thanks god we can't sbe sued for being ignorant.

[SoFarAndNear]

Well done RTP.... not even overstayed... just wait for extension... now their faces will be connected to Thailand ISIS terrorism in google for a long time...

[Srikcir]

"publishing of the confidential document stemmed from an intention to create chaos"

ThaiVisa forum published the memo. Could it as well as any other Thai news media that disclosed the memo be charged with revealing state secrets? Clearly any public discussion stemming from publication can only harm RTP/NCPO reputation and that is a criminal offense.

[Artisi]

Well done in ascertaining that these 4 seemingly randomly chosen individuals, who all voluntarily made themselves known ,are not IS connected ,,

How about finding or disclosing more information about the 10 who are supposedly suspected of being a threat.....but who have gone missing ???

Too hard, and sounds like you believe in the tooth fairy, Easter bunny and father Christmas.

[Caveat Emptor]

Given the frivolous lawsuits that the army, navy and BIB are prone to file you'd think this person has a sound case !

Anyway the thought has passed because that sort of thing is a one-way street here.

[silent]

Well done RTP.... not even overstayed... just wait for extension... now their faces will be connected to Thailand ISIS terrorism in google for a long time...

Yes but at least we're seeing that tourists can feel safer because they'll shoot themselves in the foot without thinking twice before terrorist activity is tolerated now.

[Artisi]

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect1449539306.954545.jpg

Saw these guy's in action a few years back at Heathrow, a passenger was arguing with someone from an airline ground staff in the middle of the terminal, it started out ok but his voice was gradually becoming higher and he was becoming a little agitated - then out of the blue 4 heavily armed security police just materialised - from where I've got no idea - one minute there weren't there and the next they were surrounding him. It happened so quickly you would have thought they were teleported in.

[Oziex1]

Meanwhile the real issue is, are there terrorists from overseas in Thailand and are they planning an act of terrorism.

[ljd1308]

Good, I wish him luck.

More people will know about the Syrian terrorists in Thailand than about them handing themselves in to clear their name.

I Still cannot get over the fact that the RTP "thought" they were terrorists and yet still waited for them to hand themselves in, why could they not bring them in themselves and question them before making their names public?

[micmichd]

Good, I wish him luck.

More people will know about the Syrian terrorists in Thailand than about them handing themselves in to clear their name.

I Still cannot get over the fact that the RTP "thought" they were terrorists and yet still waited for them to hand themselves in, why could they not bring them in themselves and question them before making their names public?

because "terrorism" is a meaningless word.

[Michael8511]

It is a problem with the beer bar republican lawyers on this site. Always assume that Thai police are doing things wrong. And when it come to overstay, yes 1 had overstayed his visa and it seems terrible since he's Muslim. The beer court have decided that the right to overstay only apply to Farangs. I can agree it's a serious treat with the radical Muslims but again it's a lot of descent Muslims around so before judging please make sure you don't accuse a innocent person regardless of religion.

[Chao Lao Beach]

So aftersaying 4 were on overstay , no only 1, so Thai Imm have NFI ?

[djlest]

obviously a setup from some one trying to destroy Thailand tourism and shake its economy further down the hole.... wonder who would want to do such a thing?