Police aim to extradite fugitive for execution of Jimi Sandhu
THE ROYAL THAI POLICE will request a Canadian court to deny bail for a Cana-dian national wanted for the murder of Indian gangster jimi Sandhu in Phuket, says the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).
Matthew Dupre, one of two suspects wanted for the shooting of Jimi Singh Sandhu in Rawai on Feb 4, was arrested in Edmonton, Alberta, on Feb 20.
The other suspect, Gene Karl Lahrkamp, also a Canadian national, remains at large.
Dupre is being held in detention by the Alberta Court, pending the court’s decision on Thailand’s extradition request, reported the Bangkok Post.
Earlier, the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) said an application had been filed for his extradition to Thailand.
CIB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej said last Sunday (Mar 6) that he had instructed investigators to file a petition with the Canadian court to oppose Dupre’s request to be released on bail.
Lt Gen Jirabhop said police were determined to have Dupre extradited to stand trial in Thailand.
A source close to the investigation said the case had been transferred to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) at the Royal Thai Bangkok Post Police, the also reported.
The police petition will be filed with the Canadian court today (Mar 11) out of concern that the suspect will ask for temporary release and flee.
If the suspect is released from detention, it will undermine police attempts to have him extradited, the source said, adding that the extradition is expected in April.
“The crime showed links to organised crime syndicates and the suspects had planned their escape well. They fled to Europe before travelling to Canada. War weapons also were used in the attack,” said the source.
Pol Col Wirachan Khunchaikaew, a CSD superintendent and chief investigator, said the documents supporting the petition and extradition request are on their way to Canada.