Russian National Arrested in Thailand on FBI Warrant
A 35-year-old Russian national has been arrested on the Thai resort island of Phuket. The individual is suspected of involvement in cyberattacks targeting U.S. and European government agencies and is wanted by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Arrest Details
The suspect, who arrived in Thailand on October 30 via Phuket Airport, was taken into custody earlier in November at his hotel. Thai police are holding him pending potential extradition. While Thai authorities did not release his name, Russian state media identified him as Denis Obrezko, a native of Stavropol. Relatives reportedly confirmed the November 6 arrest and intend to oppose his extradition to the United States.
International Communication
The U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. State Department, and American officials in Thailand declined to comment on the matter. The Russian Foreign Ministry and Russian embassy in Thailand also did not provide statements. However, Russia's consul general in Phuket, Yegor Ivanov, confirmed the consulate received notification of a Russian citizen's arrest for an information technology crime on November 6, followed by his transfer to Bangkok. Ilya Ilyin, head of the consular section of the Russian embassy in Thailand, later confirmed that Russian diplomats visited the suspect in a Bangkok prison and were facilitating a meeting with his relatives.
Investigation and Seizures
Thailand's Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau stated on November 12 that the arrest was prompted by an FBI tip regarding the individual's travel to Thailand and was carried out based on an international warrant. During the hotel raid, police confiscated laptop computers, mobile phones, and digital wallets. FBI officials were reportedly present during the arrest.
Clarification on Other Reports
Reports in some media outlets suggested the arrest of another Russian hacking suspect, Aleksey Lukashev, in Phuket the following day. Thai police, however, clarified that only one arrest had occurred. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that Lukashev "remains a wanted fugitive."
Extradition Process
A formal request for Obrezko's extradition has been submitted. The duration of the extradition process remains undetermined.