AFTER detained owner of The iCon Group Mr. Warathaphon Wratyaworrakul, or Boss Paul, confirmed that the voice in two leaked audio clips was his but that the angels mentioned were those in heaven not on earth and he never bribed anyone, a senior police officer said regardless of where the angels are, if they are guilty they will be pulled down from the sky and punished, TV Channel 7 said this afternoon (Oct. 19).
Pol. Lt. Gen. Charoonkiat Pankaew, Central Investigation Bureau’s deputy chief, said of the two audio clips, which have circulated online and which Warathaphon confirmed was him talking, in one of them it is heard saying “every unit has angels, guardian angels”.
The second clip is of the suspect talking with Mr. S. However Warathaphon firmly denies bribing any agency.
Asked whether any more suspects will be summoned for questioning, Pol. Lt. Gen. Charoonkiat said this depends on the evidence and the information obtained, there are additional files that they are checking.
If there is evidence, no suspect will be ignored and his team will proceed with legal action.
Police are also hunting for Warathaphon’s driver, named as only Mr. Ek, who is believed to be hiding his second mobile phone after no audio clips on bribery were found in the first one he handed in, Amarin TV said.
It is believed that there are several audio clips in the second one of conversations with famous complainants and politicians who threatened and extorted money.
On the day the 18 suspects were arrested several mobile phones and electronic devices were seized. Initially four cell phones have been forwarded to Technology Crime Suppression Division officers to analyse and find evidence with the process being expedited.
The investigation team is still urgently questioning more witnesses and searching for additional evidence to strengthen the case.
The evidence at hand clearly shows that this direct sales company’s operations were not focused on selling products but rather recruiting members to the network.
Moreover Pol. Lt. Gen. Akkaradech Pimolsri, assistant national police chief, is currently holding a meeting with investigators to summarise the evidence with arrest warrants for the second group of suspects likely to be issued today.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Mr. Warathaphon Wratyaworrakul, or Boss Paul, after his arrest. Photo: Naewna
Insert: Pol. Lt. Gen. Charoonkiat Pankaew and the iCon Group’s logo. Photo: TV Channel 7
Front Page: Mr. Warathaphon Wratyaworrakul, or Boss Paul. Photo: Thai Rath
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