Israeli Life-sentenced Criminal Arrested In Thailand

Israeli Life-sentenced Criminal Arrested In Thailand

An Israeli life-sentenced criminal who fled to Thailand twelve years ago, is now found living in Bangkok with a Thai wife and two children.

Bangkok, 31 May 2011 [PDN]: Pol. Maj. Gen. Tanapol Sontet, (Commissioner of Patrol and Special Operation Division); Pol. Col. Wiwat Kumchumnan and his team along with Kaki O-Bek (The Israel Police Chief of Asia Pacific) arrested Ben David Levy, 41 on Tuesday in an apartment room 406 of Public Mansion in Din Daeng District, Bangkok.
Ben, an Israel national was accused of robbery and murdering two people in Belgium before fleeing to Thailand twelve years ago.
Gen. Tanapol said the order to arrest Ben was given by the National Police Officer in a joint investigation with the Embassy of Israel.
Ben-David received double life sentence in Belgium for the murders in 1992. He served seven years of his sentence.
On 29 September 2003, during a short release from prison, he fled to Thailand with a fake passport under the name Dimitry Milev of Maldives national.
According to Gen. Tanapol, the Israel suspect had been living in Bangkok for the past twelve years with a Thai wife.
Based on their investigation, the suspect’s wife, Buakaew Junreung said she was introduced to Ben by a friend 12 years ago.
They have been living together with their two children while selling bags and watches at Suan Lum Night Bazaar for a living, Buakaew told the police.
Bauakaew added she was oblivious to her husband’s past criminal record as he had always been a quiet man.
The Israeli Embassy in Thailand was also involved in the arrest in cooperation with Thai police force.
Ben- David is expected to be extradited back to Israel.