The Justice Minister and the Corrections Department chief have today denied accusations, made by a China-born and jailed gambling tycoon who is fighting extradition to China, that he has received inhumane treatment in a Thai prison.
Lawyers for She Zhijiang, who holds Cambodian citizenship, said in a letter to Interpol that their client has suffered violence that has left him unable to stand and has received unwanted visits from Chinese officials.
They also claim he has been denied medical treatment.
Corrections Department Chief Sahakarn Petchnarin dismissed the allegations as groundless, stating that She Zhejiang has been treated the same as other detainees and has received continuous medical care for his spinal injury.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said that Thai prisons are equipped with CCTV, which operates around the clock.
“Therefore, his lawyers can review the security footage to determine whether their client was mistreated,” the minister said.
Tawee added that Thailand strictly adheres to human rights protection laws, including the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act.
“The country is highly committed to respecting the human rights of inmates and detainees,” he said.
She Zhejiang is wanted by China for allegedly being the mastermind behind online scams and call centres based in Myanmar. Although these illegal networks operated outside China, the Chinese authorities have issued an arrest warrant for She Zhejiang and have requested his extradition.
Phnom Penh is also seeking his extradition, according to the minister.
The tycoon was arrested in Bangkok in 2022 on an international warrant and an Interpol Red Notice, issued at Beijing’s request, accusing him of running illegal online gambling operations in Southeast Asia.
She Zhejiang’s lawyers, who are working to quash the Interpol Red Notice, claim to be seriously concerned for their client's life.
