THAILAND: Bangkok court sentences Swedish-Lebanese man Atris Hussein to 2 years and 8 months in prison for possessing explosive material
Record ID:
863221
THAILAND: Bangkok court sentences Swedish-Lebanese man Atris Hussein to 2 years and 8 months in prison for possessing explosive material
- Title: THAILAND: Bangkok court sentences Swedish-Lebanese man Atris Hussein to 2 years and 8 months in prison for possessing explosive material
- Date: 18th September 2013
- Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (SEPTEMBER 18, 2013) (REUTERS) ***CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** PRISON BUS ARRIVING OUTSIDE COURT'S DETENTION SECURITY GUARD GETTING OFF BUS INMATES GETTING OFF BUS SWEDISH NATIONAL BOMB SUSPECT, ATRIS HUSSEIN GETTING OFF BUS AND WALKING IN TO DETENTION MEDIA OUTSIDE DETENTION INMATES WALKING IN THE DETENTION HUSSEIN WAVING HANDS FROM INSIDE THE DETENTION VARIOUS OF HUSSEIN SITTING IN DETENTION / BANDAGE ON HUSSEIN'S KNEE VARIOUS OF HUSSEIN LEAVING DETENTION TO ATTEND COURT SESSION EXTERIOR BANGKOK CRIMINAL COURT BUILDING DEFENSE LAWYERS LEAVING COURT COURT EMBLEM (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) DEFENSE LAWYER WITTHAYA BURANASILP SAYING: "Yes, he (Hussein) understands. He understands the process. He accepted the verdict, but we will appeal." DEFENCE LAWYER TEAM LEAVING
- Embargoed: 3rd October 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Thailand
- City:
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAC8HIJLR4QZLT3VKV5Z316BTT3
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: A Swedish man of Lebanese origin accused of having militant links was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months in prison by a Thai court on Wednesday (September 18) for possessing explosive material.
Atris Hussein, a 49-year-old Swedish citizen, was found guilty of possessing material that could be used to make explosive devices but the court stopped short of implicating him in any plans to plant bombs.
Thai police arrested Hussein in January 2012 at Bangkok's main international airport following a U.S. alert over a possible militant threat.
After Hussein was arrested police say he led them to a warehouse in Bangkok packed with more than 3,000 kg (6.6 pounds) of ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer than can be used to make explosives.
Authorities accused Hussein of having links to Hezbollah, a Lebanese-based Shia Islamist movement backed by Syria and Iran that the U.S. considers to be a terrorist organisation. Thai media reported at the time that one of Hussein's targets was the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok.
Hussein has denied having any links to the movement.
Speaking after the verdict, Hussein's lawyer said they would appeal.
"Yes, he (Hussein) understands. He understands the process. He accepted the verdict, but we will appeal," Witthaya Buranasilp said.
Thai police say his case is not related to a botched bomb plot in Bangkok in February 2012 involving Iranian suspects, when five people were wounded by a series of explosions. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None