Canadian national Matthew Dupre was successfully extradited to Thailand on Monday after arriving in Bangkok on a special air force flight in connection with the killing of a criminal gang member last year, Thai authorities said.
According to Central Investigation Bureau Commissioner Jirabhop Bhuridej, Dupre, 38, is wanted for the alleged murder of suspected criminal Jimi Sandhu, who was shot dead in Phuket in February 2022.
The deceased “is linked to the murder of one of the leaders of another gang, called the Red Scorpion, in Canada,” according to Jirabhop, and was a member of the United Nation Gang.
Dupre was escorted off a plane in handcuffs, according to police body camera footage. After commercial airlines refused to transport the suspect due to safety concerns, Thai police said the air force flew him to his destination.
“We have to get hold of the suspect so that he can be prosecuted under the Thai judicial system,” said state prosecutor Intranee Sumawong, adding that if extradited, Dupre would not face the death penalty.
“We have to ensure security in Thailand and maintain the image that Thailand is a safe place to live,” she said.
A court in Alberta granted Dupre’s extradition in December.
