(June 25): Fomer PetroSaudi International director Xavier Andre Justo, who is currently in Thai police custody for attempting to blackmail the oil and gas company over its deals with 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), is expected to be deported once police have wrapped up their investigations, The Nation reports.

The Thai English-language broadsheet today said that as of last night, Justo was still being held by the countries Police Crime Suppression Division (CSD).

"At press time last night, Justo was still in CSD custody pending investigation, after which he faces deportation," it reported today.

The division had on Tuesday announced the arrest of the 49-year-old at a house in the Thai island resort of Koh Samui.

Computers, hard drives and other data storage devices were seized during his arrest.

Justo was reported to have been paid some RM15 million to leave PetroSaudi and is now accused of asking for more money in an attempt to blackmail the oil company over its deals with 1MDB.

Thai media reported that Justo has denied this.

Thai police had also described Justo as an IT executive, but checks on company information available online showed that he had been a director.

After Thai media reported Justo's arrest two days ago, PetroSaudi issued a statement last night to say that it was "relieved" and that the company had been made victim of a "regrettable crime that has unfortunately been politicised in Malaysia".

Malaysian pro-government newspaper the New Straits Times (NST) also carried a report yesterday stating that documents leaked on 1MDB's 2009 business deal with PetroSaudi had been edited before they appeared on the Sarawak Report website.

NST quoted an unnamed source from international cybersecurity firm Protection Group International (PGI).

1MDB also issued a statement to note that initial investigations surrounding Justo's arrest showed that some leaked emails had been tampered with.

Sarawak Report has published a series of documents regarding the PetroSaudi-1MDB joint venture in 2009, which raised questions about 1MDB's dealings and also the involvement of Malaysian tycoon Low Taek Jho. – The Malaysian Insider