Cherng Talay Police Chief Pol Col Weeraphong Rakkhito told The Phuket News, “The investigation is complete, and the case report has been submitted to the prosecutor. I have filed charges based on what the victims reported to the police station.
“The complaint, submitted in June, includes charges of verbal and physical threats, stalking, property damage and attempted murder by causing a traffic accident,” Col Weeraphong confirmed.
The charges were brought following the submission of much evidence, including CCTV footage, in a joint complaint by eight victims in total, Col Weeraphong said.
The Phuket Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to The Phuket News today (Oct 31) that the Russian man, who operates a well-known swimming school and language school in Cherng Talay, has been released on bail.
The joint complaint, filed by seven Russian nationals and one Uzbekistan citizen, detailed a litany of intimidating behaviours, including physical threats.Six of the victims even had tracking devices fitted to their vehicles so the Russian man knew of their whereabouts at all times.
One of the victims had caught the Russian man on CCTV cutting the brake line on his motorbike while it was parked at his condo accommodation in Mai Khao.
Although the joint complaint was filed at Phuket City Police Station, the investigation and subsequent charges were brought by Cherng Talay Police as that was where the initial complaint was filed, Col Weeraphong explained.
The eight victims have expressed their fear and concern that the Russian man will try to exact retribution for the complaint being filed.
"So far, action has been taken against [the Russian man], and he continues to commit illegal acts. We are truly afraid for our safety," the victims said in a joint statement to the Russian Embassy.
The Russian man had left Thailand for a period after the bouts of intimidation, and returned after the complaint was filed.
“Since we filed the complaint, we have been living in fear and knowing that [the Russian man] will seek revenge. This week, the Russian Consulate General confirmed that he has returned to Thailand,” one of the victims told The Phuket News.
“Each of us (the victims) filed a complaint ourselves, detailing how [the Russian man] used his influence to eliminate a competitor in a swimming school business, which illegally taught young children to swim. This is not only unacceptable, it also puts children at risk,” the victim said.
Following a long period of silence from police about any progress into the case, the victims earlier this month said they would submit their case to the Department of Special INvestigation (DSI) for investigation
However, Col Weeraphong told The Phuket News, “I want to ensure the victims do not feel neglected by the police.”