Cargo plane crew, arrested in Thailand, avoids death penalty
Thai authorities have dropped explosives possession charges against the crew of IL-76 cargo plane that was impounded in Thailand, Kazakhstan's foreign ministry spokesman Askar Abdrakhmanov told Interfax news agency. If charged with possissing explosives, the pilots would face death penalty. According to the Kazakh diplomatic mission in Thailand, the crew could now face up to 10 years in jail under the current charges, if convicted.
The IL-76 cargo plane was seized by the Thai police in December 2009 when it landed in Bangkok for refueling en route from North Korea. Belarus national Mikhail Petukhov is part of the crew along with three citizens of Kazakhstan. The police found 35 tons of weapons aboard the plane.
The IL-76 cargo plane was seized by the Thai police in December 2009 when it landed in Bangkok for refueling en route from North Korea. Belarus national Mikhail Petukhov is part of the crew along with three citizens of Kazakhstan. The police found 35 tons of weapons aboard the plane.
