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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Thais drop N Korea arms charges | Thais drop N Korea arms charges |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Thailand has dropped charges against the five-member crew of a plane suspected of carrying weapons from North Korea. | Thailand has dropped charges against the five-member crew of a plane suspected of carrying weapons from North Korea. |
| A spokesman for Thailand's attorney general said the five would be deported to face prosecution in their own countries. | A spokesman for Thailand's attorney general said the five would be deported to face prosecution in their own countries. |
| The five men, four from Kazakhstan and one from Belarus, were held after a refuelling stop in Bangkok in December. | The five men, four from Kazakhstan and one from Belarus, were held after a refuelling stop in Bangkok in December. |
| The movement of weapons from North Korea is subject to UN sanctions. | The movement of weapons from North Korea is subject to UN sanctions. |
| When the cargo plane was inspected it was found to be carrying 30 tonnes of weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades, explosives and missile components. | When the cargo plane was inspected it was found to be carrying 30 tonnes of weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades, explosives and missile components. |
| The ultimate destination of the arms remains unknown. | The ultimate destination of the arms remains unknown. |
| Arms charges | Arms charges |
| Thanapich Mulapruk, spokesman for the attorney general's office, said in a statement: "The trial here will not benefit Thailand, so we have decided to drop the charges. | Thanapich Mulapruk, spokesman for the attorney general's office, said in a statement: "The trial here will not benefit Thailand, so we have decided to drop the charges. |
| "Their countries of origin want to try the men in their home countries," he added. | "Their countries of origin want to try the men in their home countries," he added. |
| It was not immediately clear when the men - who were charged with the illegal possession of weapons - would be deported. | It was not immediately clear when the men - who were charged with the illegal possession of weapons - would be deported. |
| The Georgian-registered Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft is believed to have started its journey in Central Asia. | |
| Thai media has reported it had made several stops on its way to North Korea. | Thai media has reported it had made several stops on its way to North Korea. |
| It is believed a tip-off from US officials led Thai authorities to search the aircraft when it stopped in Bangkok. | |
| The five men have said they had no idea the plane had a cargo of arms. | The five men have said they had no idea the plane had a cargo of arms. |
| Their defence lawyer said they had thought they had been carrying equipment for oil drilling. |