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Arrest Warrant Issued for James Sammy Paolo
Thai police display an impression of the man suspected with links to Hezbollah.
CHIANGRAI TIMES – An arrest warrant for an alleged accomplice of Lebanese suspect Hussein Atris, who has been detained on suspicion of being involved in a terrorist plot.
The suspect has been identified as James Sammy Paolo, 40, who is also Lebanese. He will face the same charges of possessing forbidden chemical substances, the police said on Thursday. Mr Paolo was Atris’ housemate at a shop house in Samut Sakhon province, where the police on Tuesday found 4 tonnes of urea-based fertiliser which could have been used to make several bombs.
The police are trying to determine whether Mr Paolo is still in Thailand and have contacted Interpol in their efforts to track him down.
National police Chief Priewpan Damapong said the sketch of Mr Paolo in the arrest warrant was produced from a description given by Atris, who was arrested when he arrived at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport last Thursday.
Both men are accused of violating the Military Supply Act by possessing ammonium nitrate without permission.
The police said Atris had told them that he and Paolo were planning to send the chemicals to another country and had rented 10 containers. Atris, however, has denied he is a member of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said his ministry has urged the United States to lift its terror warning, which urged US citizens to be wary of possible attacks in Bangkok between Jan 13 and 15. Surapong Tovichakchaikul said this period has passed and nothing has happened.
