Jailed Tycoon Fears for His Life in Thai Prison, Lawyers Claim
A jailed gambling tycoon, She Zhijiang, is facing "inhumane treatment" in a Thai prison, according to his lawyers, who have written to Interpol expressing their concerns for his life. The tycoon, who has Cambodian citizenship and is China-born, has been accused of running illegal online gambling operations in Southeast Asia.
Trafficking Syndicates
She has claimed that his detention is politically motivated, as he refused to obey orders from Chinese authorities to develop a town on the Thai-Myanmar border. He has also alleged that he was recruited by China’s Ministry of State Security in exchange for the dropping of a criminal case against him.
Gambling Empire
At the time of his arrest, She headed a gambling empire that developed a US$15 billion casino, entertainment, and tourism complex called Shwe Kokko on the Myanmar-Thai border. The group, Yatai International Holdings Group, also had investments in Cambodia and the Philippines.
Human Rights Violations
She’s lawyers, Clara Gerard-Rodriguez and Pierre-Olivier Sur, have alleged that he has been subjected to "particularly inhumane treatment" and human rights violations of an "institutional nature". They claim that he has been kept in solitary confinement, chained, denied medical treatment for a spinal injury, and denied contact with his family.
Fear for His Life
The lawyers have expressed serious concerns for She’s safety, stating that these conditions may lead to his death. They are seeking to quash the Interpol red notice seeking his extradition to China, citing "blatant abuses of process and gross human rights violations" committed by the Chinese authorities.
Conclusion
The allegations of human rights violations and mistreatment of She Zhijiang have sparked concerns about the treatment of individuals accused of criminal activity. The case has also highlighted the complex issue of gambling and human trafficking syndicates in Southeast Asia.
FAQs
Q: What is the nature of the allegations against She Zhijiang?
A: He is accused of running illegal online gambling operations in Southeast Asia.
Q: What is the context of his detention?
A: He was arrested in Bangkok in 2022 on an international warrant and an Interpol red notice sought by Beijing, China.
Q: What are the allegations of human rights violations?
A: His lawyers claim that he has been subjected to solitary confinement, chaining, denial of medical treatment, and denial of contact with his family.
Q: What is the current status of his extradition?
A: His lawyers are seeking to quash the Interpol red notice, citing "blatant abuses of process and gross human rights violations" committed by the Chinese authorities.