The man, 25 and from Xinjiang, was stopped at a checkpoint on the eastern border. Three suspects are still on the loose. The Thai police punishes 22 officials for negligence.

Bangkok (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Thai police have arrested a second suspect in the bomb attack two weeks ago in central Bangkok. It is the second arrest after that of August 29.

According to Thai authorities, the man would have a key role in the terrorist act, even if they have not revealed whether he placed the bomb that killed 20 people and injured more than 100. Three other suspects, including a woman Muslim, are still at large.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan o-cha said the arrested man "is not an ethnic Thai and was stopped at the checkpoint in Sa Kaeo", on the eastern border of the country. Probably added the former general, "he was trying to escape."

Local media reported that the man is a 25 year-old Chinese national, from Uyghur Autonomous Region Xinjiang. This has once again led to suspicions that the attack is Muslims revenge against the government in Bangkok. At the beginning of July, nearly 100 Uyghurs were repatriated to China by force by the Thai authorities. The man stopped had a passport with the name Yusufu Mieraili.

Just one day after a number of police pocketed the ransom for progress made in the investigation, Thai police officers transferred 22 agents from checkpoints on the borders accused of negligence. Six of the transferred worked in Sa Kaeo. "It was my decision - said Somyot Pumpanmuang police chief - because foreigners have been able to illegally enter, without strict controls".

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• uyghur
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