BANGKOK: Abdul Rehman alias Rehman Bhola, the key suspect in the Baldia factory fire case, has been arrested in Bangkok.
According to details, Bhola was arrested by Bangkok Crime Suppression Division (CSD) on Saturday, a day before he was set to leave the country. He was wanted by Interpol and Pakistani authorities for Baldia factory incident, which caused more than 250 deaths and scores of injuries four years ago.
“About 40 commandos raided the Royal Garden Home Hotel in Soi Nana and arrested Bhola, 46, who was staying alone in the room,” a police official told media.
“Thai Interpol tracked this suspect following an arrest warrant sought by the Pakistani authorities,” Thailand’s Interpol chief, Major General Apichart Suriboonya said.
“He will be repatriated as soon as Pakistan is ready,” he added.
Last month, the anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Pakistan had severely reprimanded the concerned authorities for failing to arrest suspended chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)’s Karachi Rabita Committee, Hammad Siddiqui, and sector in-charge Baldia Town Abdul Rehman Bhola, the two main suspects in the case.
Pakistan police later found the suspect traveled to Thailand two weeks ago so they coordinated with Interpol and Thai police to track him down.
In September 2012, over 250 factory workers perished in the chemical factory fire. The incident was brushed off as having occurred owing to a short circuit but was later declared a case of arson; the factory was set ablaze owing to non-payment of protection money.
M. M. ALAM ADDED:
BANGKOK: Crime Suppression Division (CSO) and Interpol officers have arrested a 46-year-old Pakistani man Abdul Rehman from Room 405 of Royal Garden Home hostel here on Friday.
He is accused of involvement in the world’s sixth deadliest arson carried out in 2012 at a textile factory in Baldia area. The said fire at M/s. Ali Enterprises left 259 people dead and 50 injured.
According to police the man was alone in his room. Though LEAs did not find anything illegal there, they collected clothes, documents and cigarette butts for further examination.
It is pertinent to mention here that a Karachi ATC has issued his arrest warrant on Sept 16, 2016.
