Russian organised crime suspect arrested in Chalong on extradition warrant

Thailand’s Immigration Bureau arrested a Russian national in Chalong, Phuket, on July 25 after Russian authorities sought his extradition, according to Phuket Immigration.

Officers carried out the raid under a search warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court after tracing the suspect’s residence following a formal extradition request sent through diplomatic channels. Phuket Immigration identified him as the alleged head of a major organised crime syndicate in Russia.

Authorities said the man had overstayed his permitted stay in Thailand and was also subject to an extradition warrant issued by Bangkok’s Criminal Court. He is accused of leading a transnational criminal network involved in serious offences and large-scale fraud.

The operation involved the Immigration Bureau, the Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Russian law-enforcement agencies. The suspect was charged under Thailand’s Immigration Act and transferred to Chalong Police Station. He will enter extradition proceedings under Thailand’s Extradition Act 2008 and relevant international treaties.