Thai Court Rules to Extradite Briton to UAE on Fraud

Michael Bryan Smith, 45, a Briton, was human resources manager of a Dubai-based company. He was charged with falsifying documents and using false documents for unauthorised transfers of corporate funds to his own bank account worth US$150 million in 2008. He then fed Dubai to Thailand.

The UAE sought the help of Thai authorities to arrest and extradite him to stand trial.

Mr. Smith denied all charges and argued that he had quit the company as a result of a dispute with company executives.

He also fled an objection to the extradition, citing fears of not being able to receive a fair treatment in UAE.

The Bangkok-based criminal court judges said the defendant was guilty on charges of fraud, document falsifcation and using falsifed document which carry minimum penalty of one-year jail term. The case is neither political nor military-related.

Although Thailand and the UAE have no extradition treaty, the defendant is charged with having committed a crime characterised as a common offence in Thailand's extradition law.

In addition, the UAE has earlier pledged to extradite any Thai found guilty on similar charges in a reciprocal manner if requested.

Therefore the court ruled to have the defendant in 30-day detention pending extradition to the UAE. The defendant, however, will be released if the authorities are unable to extradite him to stand trial within 90 days.

The defendant's lawyer said his client will appeal the court ruling.