Two More Red-shirt Figures Face Indictment

20 August, 2010
Thailand Outlook

Investigators have sought prosecution against two more red-shirt elements for their alleged violations of the emergency law by holding a gathering after the dispersal of the May's red-shirt rally.

Investigators of Nang Loeng police station today presented to public prosecutors a professor of Chulalongkorn University, Suthachai Yimprasert, and leader of June 24 Democracy group, Somyos Prueksakasemsuk to seek indictment of the two for violating the emergency decree and stirring chaos.

The charges stem from the pair's role in leading a gathering at the office of the 111 Foundation run by the politically banned executives of the defunct Thai Rak Thai Party on May 21.

Public prosecutors scheduled October 28 to hear the case.

Suthachai, meanwhile, said his participation in the rally aimed to call on the prime minister to take responsibility for the crackdown on the red-shirt rally in which a number of protesters were killed and injured.

The professor said he will petition the prosecutors to consult member of the National Human Rights Commission, Nirun Pithakwatchara, on whether his act was an exercise of his constitutional right.

He also demanded an investigation against the chief of Nang Loeng police station and the metropolitan police commissioner for their dereliction of duty by failing to take action against a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, Chamlong Srimuang, for holding a rally against Cambodia's Preah Vihear management plan during the state of emergency.

Suthachai plans to file a complaint with the Constitution Court, seeking its ruling if the emergency rule is in breach of the charter, which is the country's supreme law.

As for his case of malfeasance filed against spokesperson of the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation, Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the professor said he is preparing a number of witnesses to dismiss the officer's claim on his involvement in the anti-monarchy network and the existence of such an illegal movement.