A 74‑year‑old German fugitive wanted by Interpol was arrested in Buri Ram on Saturday on charges of sexually abusing his young stepson, who had previously moved with his Thai mother to live with the man in Germany.
The suspect, who refused to give his name, had been prosecuted under German law but later fled court proceedings and absconded to Thailand, said Pol Maj Gen Phairat Phukcharoen, commander of Immigration Bureau Division 4.
Case records showed the suspect had sexually abused his 10‑year‑old Thai stepson over a five‑year period. The boy was the child of a Thai woman who had relocated to live with the suspect in Europe.
He exploited opportunities when his wife was absent from the home to commit repeated assaults, police said.
Thai Immigration received confirmation of the Red Notice and intelligence that the suspect was hiding in the Northeast.
The man was apprehended in a house in tambon Lak Khet in Muang district. The residence was located in the middle of rice fields and surrounded by zinc fencing.
Officers tracking the suspect said the fugitive was highly cautious, aware that he was being monitored and rarely went outside, according to Pol Maj Gen Phairat.
The German was taken into custody, with his visa formally revoked.
He will be deported to Germany to face trial and has been placed on a blacklist barring future entry into Thailand, Pol Maj Gen Phairat said.
