BANGKOK, Feb 5 — Thai police have identified a Spaniard as the main suspect and mastermind of a plot behind the murder of a compatriot whose dismembered body parts were found floating in the Chao Phraya river last Wednesday.

At a media conference here today, the police distributed the man’s photograph to the media as he was believed to have played a major part in the killing of David Bernat, 40, who worked as adviser to a foreign company.

The case grabbed the attention of the media owing to the brutality of the murder.

“We are in the midst of tracking down the suspect who may be in hiding in Thailand. Anyone who comes across him should contact the police,” senior adviser to the Thai Police, Gen (Pol) Panya Mamen, was quoted by the local media as saying during the media conference.

According to Thai police, the fugitive was suspected of either masterminding the plot to kidnap, extort from and kill Bernat, or was merely the killer.

On January 20, Bernat disappeared from his apartment in Khlong Toei, Bangkok. On Wednesday, workers found his dismembered body parts floating in the Chao Phraya river.

According to the local media, Bernat had often travelled to Thailand, with the most recent one being on January 19 when he arrived in the capital city from Iran.

The police have sought Artur Seggara, 37, to shed light on Bernat’s murder. Seggara is believed to be in Thailand and people who know of his whereabouts are requested to contact the police. — Bernama