'Rhino poaching kingpin' withdraws confession

Alex Eliseev

The case against suspected Thai rhino poaching kingpin Chemlong Lemtongthai was postponed on Friday following the collapse of his plea bargain.

Lemtongthai pleaded guilty to 10 counts earlier in the day, but he tried to withdraw his confession after the state revealed it was not satisfied.

The Thai national was arrested in July in connection with a syndicate which used prostitutes to pose as trophy hunters, while dozens of rhino horns were exported.

Lemtongthai was under the impression he would walk away with a fine and a suspended sentence.

However, state advocate Allan Simpson said no deal had been reached about the remaining 42 counts which involve biodiversity contraventions and fraud.

The court ruled a confession could not be withdrawn and the case was postponed to 31 August, when Lemtongthai is expected to launch his bail application.

(Edited by Lindiwe Mlandu)