PAD in legal battles
14/07/2009
The People's Alliance for Democracy on Tuesday sought the replacement of police investigators handling the Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports blockade case.
The PAD's request was made in a petition for justice submitted by lawyer Nitithorn Lamlua to police chief Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan.
Thirty-six leaders of the PAD have been summoned to report to police on Thursday to hear criminal charges, including acts of terrorism, in relation with the blockade of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports late last year.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya also lodged a petition seeking justice, asking police to review and withdraw all charges filed against him, set up a committee to probe investigators handling the case, and temporarily halt the investigation.
The petition was handed to police chief Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan by Nitithorn Lamlua, Mr Kasit's lawyer.
Mr Kasit is one of 36 people summoned by police to hear criminal charges, including acts of terrorism and violation of the emergency law, in connection with the PAD's blockade of two airports from November 25 to December 2 last year in a drive to oust the then Somchai Wongsawat government.
Mr Nitithorn said Mr Kasit had already reported to police to hear charges against him. Mr Kasit denied the charges and asked for 30 days to submit additional testimony, saying that the charges were unfounded and exaggerated.
The lawyer said Mr Kasit's speech made on the PAD stage on November 30 was to express his opinion and criticise the government - action allowed by the constitution.
The terrorism charges against Mr Kasit were unreasonable because he caused no damage to Suvarnabhumi airport. Moreover, the PAD's protest at the airport was not in violation of the emergency law.
Mr Nitithorn said other PAD suspects in the case would report to police on Thursday as required to acknowledge the charges against them.
Mr Kasit would continue to perform his duties as foreign minister until such time as the prosecution decides to indict him on terrorism charges, the foreign minister's lawyer said.
Assistant police chief Lt-Gen Wuthi Puawes, head of the investigation team, said police had sufficient evidence and witnesses to substantiate the charges.
At the same time, the prosecution has postponed its decision whether to indict nine leaders of the anti-Thaksin group for the seizure of Government House last year for 30 days.
The decision was originally set to be made on Tuesday.
In this case, nine PAD leaders have been charged by police with causing public disturbance and instigating unrest in connection with the seizure of Government House. They are Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Somsak Kosaisuk, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Suriyasai Katasila, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Amorn Amornrattananont, and Therdphum Jaidee.
A source at the Criminal Litigation Department of the Office of the Attorney General said the postponement was allowed after the suspects asked police to interrogate 38 more witnesses and the police have not yet finished their work.
The prosecution has set September 10 to make the decision.
Meanwhile, police had found a Toyota Vigo pick-up truck suspected to have been used in the ambush of PAD leader Sondhi in Bangkok on April 17.
Pol Maj-Gen Panu Kerdlarppol, deputy metropolitan police chief, said the Lop Buri-registered vehicle was seized by Region 1 provincial police from a military camp in Lop Buri.
It was brought to the Traffic Division headquarters on Monday night for forensic examination, he said.
Mr Sondhi was hit in the head by bullet shrapnel and his driver seriously injured when the van they were travelling in was attacked by gunmen who sprayed the vehicle with bullets near Bang Khun Phrom intersection early on April 17. Mr Sondhi was on his way to work.
Police have issued a warrant to arrest a soldier and a police officer suspected to have been involved in the attempt to take the life of Mr Sondhi, a police source said.
Pol Gen Thanee Somboonsap, a deputy police chief who is in charge of the case, sent police investigators to the Criminal Court to seek approval for the arrest.
One of the suspects was a non-commissioned army officer, known only by his first name Panya, attached to the Special Warfare Centre in Lop Buri, and the other was a non-commissioned police officer, identified only as Wut, attached to the Narcotics Suppression Division.
The vehicle belonged to a woman named Rassami Mekchai, 27, of tambon Thale Chupsorn in Muang district of Lop Buri.
bangkokpost.com
didn't like what they came up with huh ?The People's Alliance for Democracy on Tuesday sought the replacement of police investigators handling the Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports blockade case.
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