Thread: Investigators fail to identify killers of foreign journalists

Bangkok Post : Little progress in red probe


Little progress in red probe

• Published: 23/08/2010 at 04:50 PM
• Online news: Local News

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) says it cannot at this stage reach a finding in its investigation into the deaths of 91 people killed in the violence between April 10 and May 21 during the street protests by the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).


This was announced at a press conference on Monday by Col Fuangwich Anirutthewa, secretary to the justice minister, and Pol Col Narat Savetnant, deputy director-general of the DSI.

Pol Col Narat said the DSI has so far received 266 cases from police involving the violence between April 10 and May 21.

From its preliminary investigation into the 91 people who died it could be concluded at this stage only that the deaths were unnatural and caused by other persons under Article 148 of the Criminal Procedures Code.

The DSI knew only what caused their death and types of weapons used, but could not yet say who killed them.

As for the cases involving two foreign journalists - Japanese Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto, 43, and independent Italian press photographer Fabio Polenghi, 45 - who were killed in separate clashes between soldiers and protesting red-shirts, the DSI could only conclude that they were killed by bullets of high velocity and the types of weapons used.

However, it could not yet conclude who fired the weapons due to lack of witnesses at the scene, and some of their belongings such as mobile phones and digital cameras had disappeared.

Muramoto was killed on April 10 during the clash at Khok Wua intersection.

Polenghi was shot near Ratchaprasong intersection on May 19.

On a report that the Japanese journalist was seen to have been shot by soldiers, Pol Col Narat said there were no witnesses to confirm this.

He said the DSI had paid special attention to the two cases since they were delicate and could affect Thailand's relations with Japan and Italy.

"The DSI cannot yet disclose details on the individual autopsies of those killed.

"We have not obtained all the information needed and many pieces of the jigsaw are still missing. We can only say that we will establish the truth.

"For now, we cannot yet make an overall conclusion on the death of the 91 people. We need more time to investigate in order to know who caused the deaths," Pol Col Narat said.

The DSI deputy chief called for the mass media to give the authorities concerned justice, saying that not all of the 91 were killed by the authorities because "armed men in black" were also involved in the violent incidents during the prolonged anti-government protests.

Bangkok Post report included so that you can compare and contrast....!

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

The DSI knew only what caused their death and types of weapons used, but could not yet say who killed them.

If they know what weapons were used why not disclose it?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

The DSI deputy chief called for the mass media to give the authorities concerned justice, saying that not all of the 91 were killed by the authorities because "armed men in black" were also involved in the violent incidents during the prolonged anti-government protests.

Absolutely right SD - so when will he be arresting the authorities since the men in black were only "also" involved?

Oops! Another Fuck Up..

Bangkok Post : DSI blasted for 'tardy' inquiry

POLITICS

DSI blasted for 'tardy' inquiry

Rights groups demand it reveal some findings

• Published: 24/08/2010 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Human right activists are slamming the Department of Special Investigation over its failure to reveal the progress of investigations into who killed 91 people during the political riots in April and May.


Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada of Japan offers a silent prayer in remembranceof slain Japanesecameraman Hiro Muramoto at the spot where hewas shot dead near the Democracy Monument.MrOkada is on an official visit to strengthen bilateral relations.Hewas expected to inquire about the investigation into the death ofMuramotoon April 10 during the clashes between troops and red shirt protesters. EPA/ RUNGROJYONGRIT

The DSI yesterday asked for more time to identify those who killed the 91 victims during the inner-Bangkok violence which ended on May 19.

Among the dead are 11 security personnel. More than 1,800 were injured in the battle to end the prolonged anti-government rally by the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) which started on March 12. The main rally and most of the violence was centred around the Ratchaprasong area.

Outbreaks of violence continued for another couple of days, and some of the dead succumbed to their wounds in succeeding weeks.

"It's quite disappointing," said Sunai Phasuk of Human Rights Watch.

Mr Sunai said the DSI should at the very least explain some of the circumstances surrounding the deaths without waiting until documentation on all 91 cases is complete.

DSI deputy chief Narat Savetnant said investigators had not yet pieced together all of the information. But he insisted not all of the 91 victims were killed by security officers.

Investigators have established only the causes of the deaths and the weapons involved, he said.

The DSI has received autopsy results for 42 of the 91 victims from the Royal Thai Police. The autopsy results of another 20 cases are to be handed over soon.

Pol Col Narat said the investigation was taking time because of the number of dead.

The DSI is presently investigating 266 cases related to the unrest, he said.

In the deaths of two foreign journalists, Reuters Japanese cameraman Hiro Muramoto, 43, and independent Italian press photographer Fabio Polenghi, 45, Pol Col Narat said investigators could only conclude they were killed by high-velocity bullets. They have not been able to identify their killers.

Pol Col Narat said some of the two journalists' belongings were missing.

He said the DSI had given priority to the two cases because the Japanese and Italian governments kept inquiring about the progress of the investigations through their foreign ministries.

DSI investigator Phayao Thongsen said evidence had been gathered from autopsy reports, ballistics and forensic examination of the scene. However, to establish who were the culprits would need more time, he said.

DSI regulations require that the special cases be concluded within one year.

Meanwhile, the Truth for Reconciliation Commission headed by Kanit na Nakorn has said it had until January to establish any conclusions about key deaths, including those of the foreign journalists.

"We have found something, but we have to be thorough and careful in releasing our findings," the head of the TRC's subcommittee on fact-finding, Somchai Homla-or, said.

Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada yesterday laid flowers at the site where the Japanese cameraman was shot dead near Khok Wua intersection.

Mr Okada bowed in silence at the spot in Bangkok's historic district where Muramoto was shot in the chest by an unknown gunman.

Japan's top diplomat was expected to press the Thai government for information about the killing during talks later yesterday with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

The media watchdog Reporters Without Borders last month called on Thai authorities to publish final reports on the deaths of Muramoto and Polenghi "as soon as possible".

It accused the army of failing to act with the "required restraint" to protect members of the media.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home...-30136447.html

VIOLENCE AFTERMATH
Anger over riot autopsy reports


By Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
Published on August 24, 2010





Relatives, rights activists say DSI release not good enough


Human-rights activists and relatives of victims of the April 10 and May violence are disappointed over the Department of Special Investigation (DSI)'s preliminary autopsy reports on red-shirt protesters killed during the clashes with troops.

"I haven't seen any clear information about progress in the investigation of my son's death in the DSI announcement," said Pansak Srithep, whose 17-year-old son Samaphan Srithep was killed on May 15 at Soi Rang Nam.

"For me, the DSI's investigation into the case was inefficient. It just followed the political game," he said.

The DSI's deputy director and spokesman, Pol Colonel Naras Savestanan, announced yesterday the preliminary results of autopsies on red-shirt protesters killed during the government crackdown at Kok Wua Intersection and Rajprasong Avenue.

More than 90 people were killed during the clashes, including Japanese Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto, who died on April 10, and Italian freelance photographer Fabio Polenghi, killed on May 19. The bloody clashes injured more than 1,500 people.

Naras said the DSI had received only 42 autopsy results from officials in each jurisdiction. The results were compiled by the Metropolitan Police Bureau for the DSI. They included autopsies on six people who died mysteriously inside Wat Pathum Wanaram on May 19 after troops cleared red-shirt protesters from the Rajprasong intersection.

DSI's announcement did not give any individual case details, such as cause of death and who may have killed the victims, saying the investigation was not yet complete. Naras said the DSI had the medical report about the causes of death but would not reveal it yet.

"We know some were shot by bullets from the back to the front," he said. "We do not have any information about individual cases.

"The DSI will need more time to find pieces of the jigsaw and collect more evidence. When we have it, we will make it public," he said.

According to Ministry of Justice policy, he said, the DSI had given priority to the case of the two foreign journalists, as the results would be sensitive to relationships with Japan and Italy.

"We have reported to the agencies, embassies, and their relatives on progress in these two cases," Naras said.

Four witnesses had given testimony at the police station about the death of Muramoto, saying he was killed by government security officials. Naras said this report was not true, as he had checked with these witnesses and they had not confirmed how the cameraman died.

Pansak said the DSI should report publicly about the autopsies and progress of the investigation into individual cases, not only details of the two foreign journalists.

Citing information he had researched from a YouTube post by a French Internet surfer who captured video of his son's death on May 15, Pansak said Samaphan was the first killed at Soi Rang Nam. There had been no announcement or warning from the troops stationed in the area.

Payao Akkahad, whose daughter Kamolkade - a paramedic - was killed in Wat Prathum Wanaram on May 19, said there was no progress on her death, even though she had informed the Crime Suppression Division at Pathum Wan about it three months ago.

Human Rights Watch Thailand senior researcher Sunai Phasuk said he was not satisfied with the DSI's announcement of the preliminary autopsy results, as there was no information about cause of death or the type of weapons that killed victims during the clashes.

After talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada during his official visit to Thailand, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said they discussed reviving bilateral cooperation after a six-year gap due to the two countries' internal political problems. Okada also asked him about investigations into the death of Muramoto. Kasit told him the DSI was working on the case and he would keep Okada posted as the investigation progressed.

The Department of Sluggish Investigation's probe into protests' deaths | Asian Correspondent


The Department of Sluggish Investigation's probe into protests' deaths

Aug. 25 2010 - 08:15 am

By Saksith Saiyasombut,

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) held a press conference on Monday to inform about the progress of the inquiry of the 91 deaths during the anti-government protests. What they have announced though leaves much to be desired.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) says it cannot at this stage reach a finding in its investigation into the deaths of 91 people killed in the violence between April 10 and May 21 during the street protests by the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
This was announced at a press conference on Monday by Col Fuangwich Anirutthewa, secretary to the justice minister, and Pol Col Narat Savetnant, deputy director-general of the DSI.
Pol Col Narat said the DSI has so far received 266 cases from police involving the violence between April 10 and May 21.
From its preliminary investigation into the 91 people who died it could be concluded at this stage only that the deaths were unnatural and caused by other persons under Article 148 of the Criminal Procedures Code.
The DSI knew only what caused their death and types of weapons used, but could not yet say who killed them.
"Little progress in red probe", Bangkok Post, August 23, 2010

First of there's the question on how they come up with the figure of 91 deaths during the protests. Looking at the official figures form the Bangkok Emergency Medical Service indicate that according to this list (PDF) published on May 23, 86 people have were killed. But this document show 87 names of the dead with the last victim being dated on May 14, five days before the last day of the protests and of the street battles. It appears that not included are the six people killed inside Wat Pathum, a designated safe zone many protesters fled to after the red shirts dispersed on May 19, but were still shot inside the temple. So how do these numbers all add up to 91?

And then there was this very interesting detail made during the announcement:

Autopsies on 89 Thais, including 11 policemen and soldiers, confirmed that all had died from bullet wounds.
"Investigators fail to identify killers of foreign journalists", Deutsche Presse Agentur via The Nation, August 23

Again a considerably spectacular claim by the authorities, if you think about that various sources claim different causes in various cases such as the death of Col. Romklao Thuwatham during the clashes on April 10, as he was reportedly killed by a bomb. On the other hand though other news sources have reported that the DSI "had received only 42 autopsy results from officials in each jurisdiction," (Source) so it is highly possible that all the 42 autopsies report that they all have died from bullet wounds and the rest might have from other causes as well.

Another focus of the announcement were the deaths of the two foreign reporters, Japanese Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto and Italian photographer Fabio Polenghi.

In the deaths of two foreign journalists, Reuters Japanese cameraman Hiro Muramoto, 43, and independent Italian press photographer Fabio Polenghi, 45, Pol Col Narat said investigators could only conclude they were killed by high-velocity bullets. They have not been able to identify their killers.
However, it could not yet conclude who fired the weapons due to lack of witnesses at the scene, and some of their belongings such as mobile phones and digital cameras had disappeared. [...]
He said the DSI had paid special attention to the two cases since they were delicate and could affect Thailand's relations with Japan and Italy.
"Little progress in red probe", Bangkok Post, August 23, 2010

It is delicate indeed, as on the same day the Japanese foreign minister was on a visit to Thailand and also visited the site Muramoto died.
He was shot in the chest during the clashes on April 10, at Khok Wua intersection, not far from the Democracy Monument as the last pictures on his camera filmed the carnage between soldiers and red shirts.

Fabio Polenghi was killed during the final push of the military onto the red shirts protest site at Rajaprasong on May 19. German journalist Thilo Thielke has published his and his colleagues' investigation into the death of the Italian at New Mandala. Key excerpts of this very detailed account include...

On 21 May, two days after the Fabio’s death, the Police Forensic Institute did a forensic examination. The day after, Fabio Polenghi’s body was cremated in a simple and emotional ceremony attended by his younger sister Isabella, his friends, and his colleagues. Three months later, the Department of Special Investigations (DSI) – the “Thai FBI” – which is in charge of the investigation of Fabio’s killing, still refuses to publish the forensic report. “The investigation is not finished yet”, says Colonel Naras Savestanan, the deputy-director general of DSI. He says he cannot answer basic and crucial questions such as those about the kind of bullet which killed Fabio, the angle and distance of shooting and the location of the killer. Other important questions deal with the location of military sharpshooters who killed many demonstrators on that day as well as the location of the mysterious Black shirts – the armed wing of the Red movement. But also here, the questions find no answers. Or only very vague ones. (...)
“It is more likely that the Italian journalist has been hit by fire from advancing soldiers at the ground level, on Rajdamri road. I cannot see clearly why sharp shooters would particularly target him”, says a journalist who was on the military side on Rajdamri on 19 May. The type of bullet which killed Fabio, if it is revealed publicly someday, is not the most crucial element as Black shirts and military personnel have used some similar weapons. The most important elements are the entry point of the bullet, the description of the wound and the shooting angle, which could cast some light about the location of the shooter. Without these data, there will be no certainty on the identity of who killed the Italian journalist.
"Who killed Italian photographer Fabio Polenghi?", by Thilo Thielke, New Mandala, August 17, 2010

There's still much yet to be investigated and there's still much unknown about the circumstances of the victims. But initially the DSI announcement revealed basically nothing new. We already knew that the two foreign journalists were shot, we already knew that nearly all of the victims died unnaturally and we also already knew that the authorities' inquiry into the deaths will be sluggish at best and will have to do much more in order to convince us that, as they said it, "truth will be established" - but will the public also fully know about it once the investigations have concluded?

Saksith Saiyasombut

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

On a report that the Japanese journalist was seen to have been shot by soldiers, Pol Col Narat said there were no witnesses to confirm this.

At least none crazy enough to come forward.

Bangkok Post : DSI told to conclude findings in 60 days

DSI told to conclude findings in 60 days

• Published: 25/08/2010 at 02:55 PM
• Online news: Politics

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has been instructed to conclude its findings in detail in 60 days on the autopsies of 91 people killed in violent protests of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship in Mar-May, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Wednesday.

Mr Suthep said the instruction was given at a meeting of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) after the DSI was criticised for being too slow to conclude its investigation.

The DSI is required to explain where, how, and when each of the 91 was killed, by whom, and in what circumstances.

If the DSI did not have enough staff to finish the work in 60 days it could seek help from police, Mr Suthep said.

The DSI held a press conference on Wednesday, only to say that it was not yet able to conclude its findings from the autopsies of those killed in the UDD protests.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

The DSI is required to explain where, how, and when each of the 91 was killed, by whom, and in what circumstances.

toss in next weeks lotto numbers as well please

Indeed, 60 days and counting....all should be revealed....

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Pol Col Narat said investigators could only conclude they were killed by high-velocity bullets. They have not been able to identify their killers. However, it could not yet conclude who fired the weapons due to lack of witnesses at the scene, and some of their belongings such as mobile phones and digital cameras had disappeared. [...]

It shouldn't prove too difficult to match bullets with weapons especially those used by marksmen at the scene providing those weapons haven't conveniently disappeared and that the authorities have the desire to do so.

I'm not sure why the 'lack of witnesses' has been mentioned. It was a live firing zone and most of the bullets fired i suspect were from marksmen of the security services, again from distance. As such there are unlikely to be any independant witnesses to give a detailed account of who fired what upon any particular individual. I suspect that ballistic science is the key but currently nobody seems to know the whereabouts of it.

Very disappointing account so far from the DSI.

Saksith may indeed have hit the nail on the head with his summary. The DSI havng already announced that there is lack of available evidence which would assist them in their investigation, it follows that it is unlikely that further information will become available in the next 60 days to reveal whether those killed were either shot by the security service personnel or red/black shirt activists.

Not unexpected although the families/journalists may be a little less than satisfied with the departments 'special' investigators.

Practically speaking it is going to very hard to gather much forensic evidence and besides, except for the people killed by grenades, most of non-military people killed were undoubtedly shot by the Army with high velocity rounds that in many cases went right through the person. The idea of trying to make ballistic matches against Army weapons know to have been used is a good one, but that would take a very long time.

What the DSI should focus on is establishing the circumstances where each person was killed. Where was the Army was positioned? Where was the person shot in relation to that? What were other demonstrators doing, i.e. were there reports of grenades or shots being fired? Where petrol bombs or rockets being fired at the Army positions at that time? In other words, what would be very informative would be minute by minute reports of what took place at each location.

TH

Who's going to be so dumb he doesn't get rid of the weapon that was used to kill all those people?

DSI ready to issue autopsy results

DSI ready to issue autopsy results


By The Nation
Published on August 26, 2010

Though most autopsy results on the 89 victims of the redshirt crackdown in May are ready to be made public, "it is still difficult to identify who killed them", a senior Department of Special Investigation official said yesterday.

"The identification process is rather problematic, given the fact that firearms were used by both security officials and unidentified militants," Phayao Thongsen said at a DSI press conference yesterday. "There were also a number of governmentissued assault rifles that were seized by redshirt protesters and used against soldiers. To find out who killed whom will take time and require a delicate identification procedure."

Autopsy results in all cases can be revealed as soon as the DSI leaders give the greenlight, Phayao said, adding that the identification should be ready in the next two months.

Of the 89 killed, autopsy on 73 bodies has been completed, Phayao said. The remaining bodies are of those killed during the intense fighting from May 14 to May 19 and have not yet been handed over to the DSI by police. "They should be handed over by the end of this month," he added.

^

what is new in that ?

I hope the people involved relaize how dangerous it is to put too much pressure on the police to solve an individual crime. The fact they have not been able to find the killers, even under extreme pressure says they are doing an honest investigation. Some times people get away with it, and that is better than having an innocent person framed.

Comparing it to the hostage massacre in the Phills, one thing the Flips did do was immediately collect all the firearms belonging to the SWAT team that stormed the bus.

If they (the DSI) still don't know which weapons were used, it means they didn't follow simple police procedure...

FFS they couldn't find their arse in the dark with a torch.

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1033998

No Deadline Set for Unrest Crackdown Probe

UPDATE : 26 August 2010

The prime minister insists the government will continue to clarify its crackdown on the red-shirt protests, but says no deadline has been set for the inquiry into the causes of deaths during the operations.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he has not received a report from Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Suthep Thaugsuban on the investigation into the deaths of 99 people during the crackdown on the red-shirt protests in April and May.

Abhisit said investigators are gathering evidence as there were several different incidents, but his government has set no time frame for investigators to complete their tasks.

The prime minister confirmed there must be clarification on the matter as it has gained attention from the general public.

He also said the Emergency Decree enforcement in the three southern border provinces could be lifted at the suggestion of a working group under the reform assembly committee, chaired by Doctor Prawes Wasi.

Abhisit said the government has a plan to replace the decree with the Internal Security Act and present opportunities for insurgents to turn themselves in.

He said the National Security Council and the justice minister will take charge of designing policies and setting the scope of officials' authority after the emergency rule is revoked in the South.

Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan stated the government's effort to resolve insurgency in the three southern border provinces is on the right path. He insists the situation is constantly improving.

However, Prawit said the revocation of the emergency decree in the area is not necessary and questioned who will be held responsible if such a move gives room for more unrest. The minister remarked the law can be lifted when the situation there returns to normal.

He added the emergency rule in Bangkok and six other provinces are constantly reviewed to determine when it should be lifted. He noted that the emergency law could be revoked if the authorities can use regular laws to control the situation in their areas.

The defense minister went on to say operations are still underway to bring back red-shirt core elements who have fled to Cambodia. However, he declined to disclose the progress or other details about the manhunt.

On the case of the three Thais held in Cambodia, he said legal efforts are being made to secure their release.

The prime minister insists the government will continue to clarify its crackdown on the red-shirt protests, but says no deadline has been set for the inquiry into the causes of deaths during the operations.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he has not received a report from Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Suthep Thaugsuban on the investigation into the deaths of 99 people during the crackdown on the red-shirt protests in April and May.

No surprises here...