Iranian woman wanted over Bangkok terror plot flees to Tehran

BANGKOK (NYP) -- An Iranian woman wanted over a failed bomb plot targeting Israeli diplomats in Bangkok has fled to Tehran, Thai authorities said Thursday.

Leila Rohani -- the fourth suspect wanted in connection with the series of blasts Tuesday -- is accused of arranging a home in Bangkok for the three other suspects to use as a base.

Thailand's immigration police commissioner Wiboon Bangtamai said Rohani had fled Thailand and was now in Tehran, according to Thai newspaper The Nation.

"We could not ask Iran to extradite her to Thailand as both countries have not had the extradition treaty," he said.

Thai authorities confirmed Thursday that the suspects were targeting Israeli diplomats in Bangkok. "They were aiming at individuals, specifically Israeli diplomats," police chief Priewpan Damapong said.

On Wednesday, Malaysian authorities arrested the third Iranian suspect wanted over the plot. Masoud Sedaghatzadeh, 27, was arrested in Kuala Lumpur after fleeing Thailand on Tuesday.

The two other Iranians suspected of carrying out the attack -- which struck in Bangkok's Klongton district Tuesday and injured five bystanders -- were already in police custody.

Suspect Mohammad Hazaei was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday as he tried to escape to Malaysia.

And 28-year-old Saerb Morabi, had his legs blown off while trying to throw a bomb at police while fleeing an earlier unintended blast at a house in the Thai capital.

Thai media reports stated that Tuesday's incident began when a bomb exploded accidentally inside the Bangkok house rented a month ago by the group. They then tried to flee the home, throwing explosives at a taxi and police.