Justo to appear in court to face blackmail charge on August 17

Xavier Andre Justo, a Swiss national charged with blackmailing his former employer PetroSaudi International, is expected to appear in court for the hearing of his case on Aug 17.

Justo will appear at the Bangkok South Criminal Court on that date, according to a court official.

Under Thailand's penal code, blackmail carries imprisonment of one year to 10 years and a fine of 2,000 baht (RM225) to 20,000 baht (RM2,250).

The official said the prosecutor filed the case yesterday.

Justo was arrested on the resort island of Koh Samui in southern Thailand on June 22.

Thai police completed their investigation last week.

Justo's case attracted strong interest in Malaysia due to a joint venture project between PetroSaudi International and 1Malaysia Development Bhd.