Star Metro - Thailand begins extradition process against Chinese journalist

Bai Zhaodong, 56, exposed government corruption in China over two decades before leaving in 2023 to escape "mounting persecution from the state", according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Bai, who is recognised by the United Nations as a refugee, arrived in Thailand in 2024 and has been detained in the Southeast Asian country since January 2026, the media rights group says.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in July that Bai was suspected of extortion and bribery, and an extradition request had been submitted to Thailand.

"The prosecutor is bringing a case against him at court now. It is the beginning of the extradition hearing process," Prayuth Pecharakun, spokesman for Thailand's attorney general, told AFP on Thursday.

He said the process could take months.

Bai's lawyer Nadthasiri Bergman also confirmed to AFP that he had been taken to court to face extradition proceedings.

The hearing had not previously been made public, and RSF advocacy manager Aleksandra Bielakowska called the development "scandalous".

It came the day before an expected decision on a legal challenge brought by Bai's lawyers against Thai authorities over his continued detention.

"Bringing Bai Zhaodong before a court without notice, on the eve of a decision on the legality of his detention, is scandalous and shows how eager the Thai authorities are to bow to Beijing's demands," Bielakowska said.

RSF believes his life could be at risk if he is returned to China.

"We call on the international community to demand that Bangkok halt his deportation and allow him to travel safely to the country of his choice," Bielakowska said.

- 'Risks torture' -

Bai has been held at Bangkok's Suan Phlu immigration detention centre since January 21, according to the Southeast Asia Legal Defense Initiative, which represents him.

RSF has said that a third country has offered him asylum, without specifying which, but that departures planned for February and June were cancelled after Thai immigration authorities withheld exit clearance without explanation.

The media rights group and his lawyer have called on Thailand to grant the journalist permission to leave the country.

Beijing has long sought to clamp down on dissidents overseas, and campaigners accuse authorities in Thailand -- where several notable activists have moved over the years -- of complicity in China's efforts.

Thailand is not a party to the UN Refugee Convention, but is bound by the international legal principle of non-refoulement, which bars countries from sending people back to places where their lives or freedom are in danger.

Thailand's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.

Nonetheless Bangkok deported 40 Uyghurs to China in February last year over the objections of activists, who said the men could be tortured or mistreated.

"For years, Bangkok has stepped up its cooperation with the Chinese authorities in their attempts to export their repression of journalism," the RSF's Bielakowska said.

She added: "Today, it is the Thai justice system that is paving the way for the handover of a journalist, recognised as a UN refugee, to a system where he risks torture, in breach of international law."

X.Boucher--SMC