China seeks arrest of five Uyghurs held in Thailand
BANGKOK: Five Uyghurs detained in Thailand since 2014 are subject to Chinese arrest warrants, the kingdom’s security chief said Wednesday, adding that a court would decide if they would be returned to China.
Bangkok: Five Uyghur men detained in Thailand since 2014 are subject to Chinese arrest warrants, according to Thailand's security chief. The court will decide their fate and potential extradition to China. Human rights groups worry about the men, who are part of a persecuted Muslim minority group, after two were pardoned last month.
The five were jailed for attempting to escape immigration detention in 2020 and must serve their sentences before deportation under Thai law. Two were pardoned and are in immigration detention, awaiting their future. If China requests their extradition, Thailand's foreign ministry will assess the situation and a court will decide.
If found guilty, they will be handed over under the extradition treaty. China and Thailand cooperate on combating cross-border crimes, but Human Rights Watch warns of grave risks of torture and other abuses for the Uyghurs in China.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 2 other outlets
- China has warrants out for 5 Uyghurs, Thailand says bangkokpost.com
- China must make extradition request if it wants two Uyghur men returned, Thailand says winnipegfreepress.com
