The only suspect in the shooting of a Russian man in the sub-district of Cherng Talay, north Phuket, has been charged with attempted murder. The shooting, which happened on the morning of June 7, in the popular Boat Avenue shopping area, is being viewed as an assassination attempt.
The victim, a Russian businessman, survived four gunshot wounds to his chest and arms and is recovering in hospital. A Kazakh national of Korean descent was arrested at Phuket Airport the day after the shooting, as he attempted to leave the country. It’s understood the man was initially detained for having overstayed his visa.
The Phuket News reports that Phuket Police Chief Sermphan Sirikong has confirmed a Kazakh man has now been charged with attempted murder. The suspect denies any involvement in the shooting. Sermphan says he was arrested after officers discovered he had rented the Yamaha scooter that was used in the shooting.
“The charges against him include attempted murder, possessing a firearm without a permit, and carrying a gun in public without reasonable cause. We are now gathering evidence to hand the case over to the prosecutor.”
The police have also recovered several items considered key evidence in their investigation, including the Yamaha scooter, the clothes worn by the shooter, and the weapon used, a .38 caliber handgun, along with 2 unused rounds of ammunition.
The important pieces of evidence were found after officers searched a lake in the Laguna area, around a kilometre from the scene of the shooting. It’s not yet know if police plan to use DNA testing to connect the man they have in custody with the clothing and revolver.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
