Brussels fugitive caught working as Patong DJ
A 36-YEAR-OLD MAN sentenced to prison for 10 years in Belgium for attempted murder has been arrested in Patong, where he worked as a DJ at a nightlife venue.
The man, identified by police only as Achmal, 36, was taken into custody by Phuket Immigration officers at an apartment in Patong, Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nuchanart, Deputy chief of the Immigration Bureau, announced at a press conference in Bangkok on Jan 23.
The date and location of Achmal’s arrest was not reported. The name of the nightlife venue where he worked as a DJ was also not reported.
Achmal was a dual national and held passports issued by Belgium and Morocco, Maj Gen Phanthana explained. He was wanted on Criminal Court Arrest Warrant No. 878/2566 dated Dec 15, 2023,
Achmal was found guilty of “attempting to murder another person with premeditation, carrying a firearm without permission, possession of ammunition spare parts or accessories which were installed on a firearm without permission”, Maj Gen Phanthana noted.
The Court of Appeal of Brussels had sentenced Achmal to imprisonment for 10 years.
Immigration officers had found that Achmal had used both passports to repeatedly re-enter Thailand, switching which passport he used many times.
Achmal was tracked down and found to be moving between residences in Bangkok, Sisaket and Phuket.
Officers tracked him down to an apartment in Patong, where he was arrested.
Achmal “went undercover” to work as a DJ in a service establishment in the Patong area, Maj Gen Phanthana said.
Achmal was handed over to the Office of the Public Prosecutor, which is to work with the Foreign Office in order to oversee his extradition, he added.
The Phuket News