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An interpreter for the two men on trial for last year's deadly bombing in Bangkok denied he was carrying drugs when police arrested him Wednesday after he testified in their trial.

Sirojiddin Bakhodirov, an Uzbek man who's been helping translate for the two Uighur defendants since September, denied possessing marijuana and crystal meth when the police stopped him on Soi Sukhumvit 5. Police said it was mere coincidence that brought them to stop and search Bakhodirov on the same day he testified in a military courtroom that he has been attacked and threatened to not help the two men.

“He said he was not involved and the drugs did not belonged to him,” said Schoochart Kanpai, Karadag’s lawyer who went to meet him at Lumpini Police Station. “So he refused to sign the record of the arrest.” 

Security officers escort Mohammad Bilal and Yusufu Mieraili to the martial court in Bangkok, Nov. 12, 2015 (courtesy of Khaosod English)

 

Read the full story from Khaosod English

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