Thai man wanted by India for arms dealings with Naga rebels nabbed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Bangkok, September 01 2013:
Police in Thailand have arrested a Thai man wanted in India for alleged involvement in international arms deals with Naga rebels worth almost USD 2 million, authorities said Saturday.
Wuthikorn Naruenartwanich, also known as Willy, was arrested Friday at his home in Bangkok, said Police Col.Charoen Sisasalak.
Willy, 57, is accused of buying weapons, including nearly 1,000 rifles and an unspecified number of rocket-propelled grenades,to be sold to Naga rebels in northeastern India, Charoen said.
The arrested man is also said to be included on an Interpol list as a suspect wanted by India for terrorism offences.
During initial questioning, Willy told police that he was a restaurant owner in Bangkok and denied any involvement in arms deals, Charoen said.
Prosecutors next week will try to convince a judge to send Willy to India, where he's being tried in absentia.
India's National Investigation Agency charged Willy and three others in 2011 with criminal conspiracy to wage a war against the Indian government.
If convicted, he could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.
The Nagas are a conglomeration of several tribes inhabiting parts of northeast India and northwest Myanmar.
The outlawed NSCN (IM) operated out of Bangkok and several other Thai cities till about a decade ago but most of the cadres of the group have reportedly moved out of the country.
A ceasefire between the NSCN-IM and the Indian Government has been held since it was inked in 1997 .