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Suspected Thai rapists admit guilt

On December 25, the three men forced two Russian tourists into their car and drove them to a park where they beat them up, robbed and raped

BANGKOK, January 3 (Itar-Tass) — The persons suspected of robbing and raping two Russian tourists in the resort town of Pattaya on December 25 admitted their guilt during crime re-enactment, an aide to the honorary Russian council in Pattaya, Viktor Kriventsov, told Itar-Tass on Thursday.

"Three suspects fully confirmed the version investigated by the police; they showed how they had used weapons, including firearms, to abduct the Russian women in Pattaya," Kriventsov said.

On December 25, the three men, threatening the use of firearms, forced two Russian tourists into their car and drove them to a park where they beat them up, robbed and raped. Local residents helped the women report the crime to the authorities. The victims were rushed to a Pattaya hospital. The investigation was supervised by police officials from the province of Chonburi.

"The three suspects are now in custody. They will go on trial soon," spokesman for the Russian Embassy in Thailand Vitaly Anopov earlier told Itar-Tass.

Police detained the suspects on Monday. "They seized from the men the weapons of crime," the Russian diplomat underlined.

Chonburi police chief Maj-Gen Katcha Thatsat said after crime reenactment that he would make all efforts towards ensuring the safety of Russian tourists in Pattaya," Kriventsov said," while the honorary council of Russia in the province of Chonburi and Rayong Panga Vathanakul noted the efficiency of Pattaya police which had solved the crimes against the Russian tourists in six days and placed the suspects under arrest. She expressed the hope that the Russian tourists' confidence in the safety of Pattaya had been restored.

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