Thai police arrest Belgium’s most wanted fugitive

PHUKET, 31 July 2012 (NNT) – Belgium’s most wanted criminal has been arrested in the southern province of Phuket, following a month-long investigation.

The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) and the Belgian embassy jointly announced that fugitive Belgian gang leader Marc de Schutter, 57, has been arrested at a residence in Muang district of Phuket.

He is wanted for several crimes, including murder and money laundering in Belgium. Reports also suggest that he has collaborated with members of mafia gangs in many countries and has been fleeing from one place to another. On June 15 this year, he reportedly traveled from Singapore to Thailand.

CSD Chief Pol Maj Gen Supisarn Pakdinarunart disclosed that at the request of the Belgian embassy and the Office of the Attorney-General, National Police Chief Priewpan Damapong had launched an investigation into Mr de Schutter’s whereabouts in the country.

Following the arrest, Pol Maj Gen Supisarn added that the extradition process is now underway.

According to immigration police reports, a large number of international fugitives are currently in hiding in Thailand. The CSD chief assured that the agency is stepping up its efforts to apprehend those still on the loose in the country.