4 Syrians found and cleared of IS links (Updated)

07 ธันวาคม 2558

Thai authorities have now cleared all four Syrian nationals who reportedly overstayed their tourist visas and were suspected of being linked with the Islamic State jihadist group.

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Evening update from our online reporters

Police have cleared the last of four Syrian men wanted for overstaying their visas of any connection to the Islamic State group (IS).

Acting metropolitan police chief Sanit Mahathaworn said on Monday that interrogators found no links between Hagop Kassanbian, 57, and the terrorist group. Furthermore, the accused foreigner said he plans to take legal action against anyone proved to have posted his a photo of his passport online in a way that defamed him.

3 Syrians cleared of IS links

POST REPORTERS

Thai authorities have cleared three out of four Syrian nationals who reportedly overstayed their tourist visas and were suspected of being linked with the Islamic State jihadist group.

Nawfal Hassoun, 34, Mouayad Hayati, 29, and Abdul Aziz Arouk, 44, have been cleared after being questioned by police for more than three hours.

Another man, Hagop Kassabian, 57, has been found in Chaiyaphum's Chatturat district. His wife insists he holds a valid visa.

The names and photographs of the four were released on Saturday night by security officers, saying they have overstayed, after a leaked document reported that Russia had warned that 10 Syrians linked to Islamic State had entered Thailand in October.

The three in Bangkok were questioned by senior police officers led by acting commissioner of Metropolitan Police Bureau Pol Lt Gen Sanit Mahathaworn at Lumpini police station.

The Russian ambassador to Thailand, Kirill Barsky, was present as an observer and gave information.

Pol Lt Gen Sanit said later police and immigration authorities questioned the three men for over three hours and believe they have no links with militant groups.

Mr Hassoun, who has a Thai wife, reported to police at Thung Mahamek station along with his wife, a native of Udon Thani.

The couple planned to open a restaurant in Bangkok. Mr Hayati reported to police at Lumpini station and insisted he had no involvement with any militant groups.

According to Pol Lt Gen Sanit, only Mr Arouk has been found overstaying and he would face legal action on the issue.

Under the immigration law, people who are found to have overstayed their visa will be charged and deported.

In Chaiyaphum, Mr Kassabian's wife Patcharin Piromkij, 38, told Chaiyaphum police they have lived together for more than 10 years and have three children.

She insisted her husband's visa is valid and they are ready to meet police to clear up any concerns.

Ms Patcharin said the family runs a business exporting fish and rice to Lebanon and some European countries.

Mr Kassabian had also appeared in several TV commercials with actors and actresses including Jirayu "James" Tangsrisuk and Urassaya "Yaya" Sperbund.

Maj Gen Banpot Poonpian, spokesman for the Internal Security Operations Command, said Sunday there was no specific threat in the country and Thailand was not involved in any international conflict.

He also dismissed any connections between the Russian warning and the Ratchaprasong bombing. Maj Gen Banpot urged for calm and insisted security authorities were doing their best to handle public safety threats.