Andrei Veselov, 37, has been taken into custody, Karon Police confirmed. No details of his location or time of his arrest were reported.
Taking an active role in the investigation Pol Lt Col Saranu Chamnanrat, Deputy Commander of Region 8 Police traveled to Karon Police Station to personally interrogate him.
However, it was reported that police were not able to extract much information because Veselov could not communicate in English and wanted to wait for his personal lawyer.
Veselov was identified as the man who orchestrated the attack on Russian national Zelimkhan Iusupov, 31, at a hotel near the Karon Night Market land Sunday night.
His accomplice, identified as Russian national Dmitrii Kuznetsov, 36, forcibly entered Mr Iusupov’s room and assaulted Mr Iusupov, and restrained him using tape and electrical wire.
Kuznetsov demanded the return of a substantial cryptocurrency sum, threatening Mr Iusupov’s life if he failed to comply.
During the attack, Kuznetsov placed a call to Veselov, with whom Mr Iusupov had a prior cryptocurrency-related dispute in Russia.
Veselov allegedly demanded the transfer of US$120,000 in cryptocurrency and instructed the attacker to coerce the victim into revealing his wallet passcode.
Despite Mr Iusupov’s refusal, Kuznetsov searched Mr Iusupov’s belongings, stealing approximately 50-70 $100 bills. The ordeal escalated as Kuznetsov was tied to a bathroom door rail and reportedly beaten unconscious.
After regaining consciousness, Mr Iusupov managed to free himself and reported the incident to Karon Police.
Kuznetsov, 36, entered Thailand on Sunday (Jan 5), just hours before the attack, and fled to Dubai on Monday (Jan 6) at 2:50am.
Karon Police have confirmed they are seeking an Interpol Red Notice to secure Kuznetsov’s arrest.
Meanwhile, Mr Iusupov has since moved on to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, police said.