Four Syrians ‘not connected to IS’; one files lawsuit

BANGKOK (The Nation/ANN) - Four Syrians whose photographs went viral on the Internet were found to have no connection with Islamic State, National Police spokesman Pol General Dechnarong Sutticharnbancha affirms.

Four Syrians whose photographs went viral on the Internet were found to have no connection with Islamic State (IS), National Police spokesman Pol General Dechnarong Sutticharnbancha affirmed yesterday.

One of the four, Hagop Kassanbian, 57, has reportedly filed libel charges against the person who leaked his passport photo and information onto social media, acting Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Sanit Mahathaworn said.

Dechnarong also said the national police chief had already ordered an investigation into the leaking of a Special Branch document on a Russian intelligence agency warning that IS members may have entered Thailand. The inquiry will kick off today.

Deputy police spokesman Pol Maj-General Songpol Wattanachai said the police team led by deputy police chief Pol General Sriwara Ransibhramanakul, was checking to see if the publishing of the confidential document stemmed from an intention to create chaos, and whether the person behind the leak should face prosecution.

Three Syrians, identified as Nawfal Hassoun, 34; Mouayad Hayati, 29; and Abdul Aziz Arouk, 44; presented themselves at Lumpini Police Station on Sunday and were cleared by police after more than three hours of interrogation. Kassanbian presented himself to police in Chaiyaphum province.

After interrogation, police only found that one Syrian had overstayed his visa, while two others were waiting to extend their visa.

Meanwhile, Thai national Patcharin Piromkit told reporters in Chaiyaphum that she had been married to Kassanbian for 10 years and that they had three sons.
The Russian agency had claimed 10 Syrians entered Thailand in October in a bid to attack Russian interests in retaliation for strikes on IS strongholds in Syria.

Photos

No photos has been attached.