Saudi diplomat meets Thai PM on case of missing Saudi businessman

BANGKOK, Jan 11 (TNA) – Charge d’Affaires Babil Ashri of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Thailand on Monday met Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva over the development in legal proceedings of the missing Saudi businessman who disappeared in 1990 in which the Thai prosecutors are scheduled to decide whether to indict the suspects on Tuesday.

Mr Ashri spent nearly half an hour talking with Mr Abhisit at Government House.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn said that the discussion was about general matters, including the case of missing Saudi businessman Mohammad al-Ruwaili .

“The Saudi charge d’affaires expressed confidence over the government’s legal proceedings because there is clear evidence and information regarding the case,” said Dr Panitan, who is also deputy secretary general to the prime minister.

The spokesman said that Mr Abhisit also assured Mr Ashri that the case has been conducted under the process of justice and considering all evidence.

Last Monday Mr Ashri met with Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul asking for cooperation with the ministries concerned to hasten a resolution of the case of Mr al-Ruwaili.

The Attorney-General is scheduled to indict Pol Lt-Gen Somkid Boonthanom, chief of Provincial Police Region 5, and four other active and former police officers in connection with Mr al-Ruwaili’s disappearance in 1990.

Mr al-Ruwaili, a shareholder in a job placement firm, has been presumed dead since February 1990.

He was last seen in a car with Saudi consul Abdullah al-Besri on February 12, 1990, and was reported missing three days later. His car was found abandoned in the Bangkok Christian Hospital’s parking lot and the Saudi consul was murdered after being seen with Mr al-Ruwaili.

It was widely believed that Mr al-Ruwaili was kidnapped by police investigating the Saudi consul’s murder, and that he was tortured and later killed by his captors to cover up their actions.

The Saudi authorities also want to see developments in the case before its statute of limitations ends on February 12. (TNA)