Suspected Pedophile Arrested In Thailand
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The hunt is over. Christopher Paul Neil, a 32-year old Canadian, was tracked down in north-east Thailand and arrested.
Mr Neil, who faces 20 years in jail if convicted, was brought to a news briefing, but did not answer questions.
The Thai courts issued an arrest warrant on Thursday after a 17-year-old Thai youth told the authorities the suspect had sexually molested him several years ago.
Mr Neil was picked up by officers on Friday morning in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, 250 km (150 miles) north-east of the capital, Bangkok. He was driven to the Thai capital where he was paraded in handcuffs in front of gathered journalists at a police station.
Police chiefs said he was suspected of abusing at least 12 youngsters – at least one said to be under 10 years old.
Officers now believe the Canadian might have abused boys in Thailand as well as in Vietnam and Cambodia – and he could face charges in any of those countries.
He could also be charged in Canada, which has laws allowing for the prosecution of its nationals for child-sex crimes committed abroad.
Thai police have appealed for more victims to come forward and indicated he would be charged in Thailand, but they did not rule out the possibility of extradition.