Cambodian authorities say they have received no request for aid in the Thai investigation of a bombing in Bangkok in August, following the detention of a second suspect near the Cambodian border on Tuesday.
Thai police have two men in custody for the Aug. 17 bombing. Tuesday’s suspect was identified as Emrah Davutoglu, a Turkish man married to a Thai woman, who is also a suspect.
Thai media have reported Davutoglu was arrested in Cambodia and turned over to Thailand, but Cambodian police and other officials say he was arrested in Thailand, and that there has been no official request for aid in the investigation.
Khieu Sopheak, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, told VOA Khmer he did not have specific information about Tuesday’s arrest, nor had he heard of an official or unofficial request from Thai authorities for help in searching for suspects.
“I am not aware of the issue,” he said. “ But according to the Thai prime minister, he said [the suspect] was arrested in [Thailand ], a few kilometers away from the Cambodian border. This is what their prime minister said…. There has not been an official letter sent to us.”
The Bangkok Post reported Tuesday that the suspect was arrested by Cambodian authorities and later handed over to Thailand. Cambodian police, military police, soldiers, as well as the governor of the border province of Bantey Meanchey province, Kousoum Saroeuth, were not able to confirm that report and said they had no additional information on the arrest.
“Thai soldiers arrested him near Thailand’s Rongleu market,” the governor said.
