Iranian embassy confirms 2 suspects in custody for Sukhumvit blasts are Iranian nationals

BANGKOK, Feb 25 -- The Iranian embassy in Bangkok has confirmed that two suspects who were in police custody for alleged involvement in the Sukhumvit area bomb blasts in February 14 are Iranian nationals, according to Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Thani Thongphakdi.

Mr Thani, Director-General of the Department of Information, told reporters that the Iranian government has cooperated with Thai authorities in verifying the suspects's nationality as well as the authenticity of their passports and has confirmed that the two who were detained are Iranian nationals.

The embassy has also asserted that the two did not have any involvement with the Iranian government or any Iranian organisations. The embassy was coordinating with Thai authorities to meet the two suspects to provide assistance.

Thailand’s Criminal Court issued arrest warrants to five suspects on various charges related to Bangkok bomb incidents.

Two suspects were arrested earlier -- Saeid Moradi, 28, who lost both legs from his own explosive device -- and another suspect, Mohammad Hazaei, 42, who was taken into custody at Suvarnabhumi Airport while attempting to board a plane bound for Malaysia.

A third suspect identified as Masoud Sedaghatzadeh was arrested by Malaysian authorities in Kuala Lumpur.

Thai authorities are seeking his extradition to Thailand for prosecution.

A fourth suspect, identified as Rohani Leila, has returned to the Iranian capital of Tehran.

The fifth suspect is a Middle Eastern man who was captured by CCTV footage walking away from the rented house where the first bomb apparently exploded by accident.

As for the extradition attempt for the third suspect, Mr Thani said that the request and relevant documents have already been forwarded to Malaysian authority via the Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur since February 23. (MCOT online news)

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