Swedish suspect in Thailand denies terror link
BANGKOK: A man who Thai police say led them to tons of bombmaking components told reporters he is not a terrorist, then pleaded not guilty to charges of illegally possessing explosive materials.
Atris Hussein, a 47-year-old Swedish citizen of Lebanese origin, is accused of possessing nearly 3,000kg of ammonium nitrate in various forms.
Ammonium nitrate is a fertiliser that can be used to make explosives.
Police said after Hussein was arrested on Jan 12 at Bangkok’s international airport, he led them to a warehouse packed with more than four tons of fertiliser and other materials that can be used to make bombs.
Thai authorities have accused Hussein of links to Hezbollah militants, but he said outside Bangkok’s Criminal Court, “I’m not terrorist.”
When asked if he was worried about the prosecution, he nodded and gave a weary smile.
Hussein faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
Hussein’s arrest came as the US and Israel warned of a terrorist threat in Bangkok against Americans and Israelis.
Thai media reported at the time that the Israeli Embassy was among the targets.
Thai police said the case was unrelated to a botched bomb plot that was exposed Feb 14 when an accidental blast rocked a residential Bangkok neighbourhood.
Three Iranian men had been detained in connection with that explosion – two in Thailand and one in Malaysia – and Thai police have said Israeli diplomats were the target of that alleged plot.