Over 70 Rohingya trafficking suspects prosecuted

SONGKHLA, THAILAND, July 24 (TNA) - Thailand's attorney-general has arraigned 72 suspects of Rohingya trafficking, including a senior army officer, and opposed their bail. Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) Spokesman Wanchai Rujanawong told journalists on Friday that the attorney-general has ordered the arraignment of the 72 suspects, including army specialist Lieutenant General Manas Khongpaen, for alleged trafficking of Rohingya migrants. The spokesman said other accused persons include four police officers, administrative officials and local administrators. According to the OAG spokesman, the 72 suspects face 16 charges, including human trafficking, involvement in transnational crime and malfeasance. Public prosecutors arraigned the 72 suspects at the Na Thawee Court in Songkhla Province in the Thai Far South and opposed their temporary release on bail because their alleged offences are serious and deserve severe legal punishment. (TNA)