Ruble ruckus: Russian suspect nabbed in Phuket hotel heist
Police yesterday arrested one of two Russian suspects for stealing approximately US$5,000 (nearly 200,000 baht) in cash from a fellow countryman at a hotel in Phuket on Sunday, January 5.
The 31 year old Russian victim, Zelimkhan Iusupov, rushed to Karon Police Station at around 3.30am on Sunday after being physically assaulted and robbed by one of the suspects, later identified as 36 year old Dmitrii Kuznetsov.
Iusupov reported to police that Kuznetsov threatened him in an attempt to obtain the password to his cryptocurrency account. When Iusupov refused, Kuznetsov assaulted him further and forced him to speak over the phone with another suspect, 37 year old Andrei Veselov.
Iusupov recognised Veselov’s voice during the call, as the two previously had a conflict regarding their crypto business in Russia.
Veselov demanded that Iusupov transfer him US$120,000 but Iusupov refused to comply, leading to further physical assault by Kuznetsov. The victim eventually handed over US$5,000 (nearly 200,000 baht) in cash to save his life.
The police investigation confirmed the identities of the two suspects. Kuznetsov was found to have left Thailand at 2.50am on January 6 after committing the theft. Veselov, however, remains in the country.
Officers arrested Veselov at a luxury villa in the Choeng Thale sub-district of Thalang district, Phuket, where he was staying with his family. Veselov faces two charges, including:
- Section 337 of the Criminal Law: using a weapon to threaten another person to give property. The penalty is imprisonment from six months to seven years and a fine from 10,000 to 40,000 baht.
- Section 310 of the Criminal Law: Detaining a person leading to death or severe injury. The penalty is imprisonment for three to 15 years.
ORIGINAL STORY: Ruble trouble: Russian tourist robbed and roughed up in Phuket
A Russian man is seeking justice after a fellow countryman physically assaulted him and stole approximately US$5,000 (nearly 200,000 baht) from him at a hotel in Phuket. The theft reportedly had ties to the victim’s rival.
The Russian victim, 31 year old Zelimkhan Iusupov, filed a complaint at Karon Police Station today, January 6, following the theft, which occurred at a hotel in the area at approximately 3.21am on January 5. Iusupov alleged that the incident involved his rival, Andrey Veselov.
Iusupov explained that he had been asleep in his hotel room when he was woken by someone knocking on the door. He rushed to open it without checking who it was, only to find himself face-to-face with the assailant, also a Russian national.
The suspect wore a hoodie and a face mask to conceal his identity. He repeatedly punched and kicked Iusupov in the face, causing him to collapse to the floor. Iusupov said he was unable to fight back as he recently underwent stomach surgery.
According to Iusupov, the suspect mentioned a debt and demanded repayment. Iusupov claimed to know nothing about it, but the suspect continued his assault, taped Iusupov’s mouth shut with duct tape, and tied him up.
The suspect then forced Iusupov to speak to someone over the phone, and Iusupov recognised the voice as belonging to Veselov. Iusupov admitted he had a conflict with Veselov over cryptocurrency while in Russia.
Iusupov further alleged that Veselov threatened to kill him if he refused to transfer US$120,000 to him. Veselov reportedly demanded the password to Iusupov’s crypto account, but Iusupov refused, prompting further assaults.
Fearing for his life, Iusupov offered the suspect cash from his luggage, totalling around US$5,000, or nearly 200,000 baht. The thief took the money and struck Iusupov on the back of his neck, rendering him unconscious. When he regained consciousness, Iusupov found himself alone in the room and immediately went to the police station to report the incident.
The Phuket Times reported that police are now searching for two Russian suspects and questioned the victim in further detail.
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