Four Islamic teachers have been arrested in southern Thailand, accused of being behind the recent spate of violence in the region.  The four have been charged with treason and terrorism-related offences, according to police sources. They are due in Bangkok on Friday, to appear before a criminal court. More than 500 people have been killed so far this year in continuing violence in the Muslim-dominated provinces of southern Thailand. The four detainees are "key mastermind figures", according to a statement from the Southern Border Provinces Peace-Building Command.
General Sirichai Tanyasiri told the BBC that the four were involved in the theft of firearms from an army depot in January, a raid which presaged the upsurge in violence. A BBC correspondent in Bangkok says arrests have been made before in connection with the raid, though the evidence has not seemed conclusive. The government has accused some Islamic schools in the south of being breeding grounds for militants, a charge repeatedly denied by religious leaders. | "Us? We're just innocent holy men, honest!" |
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said the four detainees were linked to a "separatist organisation", and described them as "significant ringleaders" who "played a commanding role". | Holy islamic teachers, preaching violence and calling for jihad, sending the young out to get killed while they stay behind. Seems to be a pattern. |
"We have clear evidence which will explain the overall picture," he told reporters on Thursday. Mr Thaksin has come under pressure to be seen to be tackling the southern violence before a general election in February. | Nothing stirs a politician to action like a upcoming election. |
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