‘No evidence’ to back Special Branch claim that al-Qaeda man was in Phuket . An unconfirmed local report that fugitive Hambali – the suspected al-Qaeda point man in Southeast Asia – had recently surfaced in Phuket roused security agencies and the government into damage-control mode. Defence Minister Thamarak Isarangura said yesterday that he was aware of the report citing an unidentified Special Branch Police officer, but insisted that the claim was not backed by any evidence. The Special Branch officer should be relieved of his duty, he said. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Interior Minister Wan Muhamad Nor Matha also said they had received no information confirming a spotting. Some local newspapers said Indonesia-born Hambali, the common name for Riduan Issamudin, had appeared on the resort island clean-shaven but with different facial features following what was believed to be plastic surgery. The reports did not say how the police obtained such intelligence. Full Story
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