ID :
127521
Sat, 06/12/2010 - 17:18
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/127521
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New DSI panel to ponder leniency for arrested Red Shirts supporters
BANGKOK, June 12 (TNA) -- Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will set up a special legal team to study legtal aspects of granting pardon to jailed anti-government protesters who are facing less than two-year imprisonment for minor offences and not terrorism charges, said DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit on Saturday.
Mr Tharit said his office was assigned by the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) to study a special law to omit punishment for some protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) who faced imprisonment ranging from six months to two years or other minor offences, without terrorism charges.
DSI will establish a working group to study advantages and disadvantages of the proposal and must discuss with the Office of the Council of State as well, Mr Tharit said.
Tens of thousands of UDD protesters were involved in rallies against the government, which ended May 19 following a military crackdown on the demonstrators in the capital, said Mr Tharit, adding that the government does not want to punish those who did not commit arson or had not used military weapons against government forces and innocent people.
If such detainees are released it would be in line with the government-initiated national reconciliation plan, aimed at ridding social injustice and narrowing Thailand's widening gap between the rich and the poor, he said.
Regarding the recent killing of UDD security guard, Mr Tharit said an investigation would be conducted to see whether the killing stemmed from a personal conflict or from politics. If it is related to the recent demonstration or politics, the DSI would probe the matter.
Sakrin Kongkaew also known as Uan Buayai, 24, a Red Shirt leader in Nakhon Ratchasima was shot dead in that province's Buayai municipality. He was earlier summoned to report to the authorities at Suranaree army camp on May 2 for his role in the anti-government protest.
Currently, about one hundred UDD protesters imprisoned for violating the State of Emergency are now being detained at Bangkok Remand Prison, excluding some of them now jailed in upcountry. (TNA)
Mr Tharit said his office was assigned by the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) to study a special law to omit punishment for some protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) who faced imprisonment ranging from six months to two years or other minor offences, without terrorism charges.
DSI will establish a working group to study advantages and disadvantages of the proposal and must discuss with the Office of the Council of State as well, Mr Tharit said.
Tens of thousands of UDD protesters were involved in rallies against the government, which ended May 19 following a military crackdown on the demonstrators in the capital, said Mr Tharit, adding that the government does not want to punish those who did not commit arson or had not used military weapons against government forces and innocent people.
If such detainees are released it would be in line with the government-initiated national reconciliation plan, aimed at ridding social injustice and narrowing Thailand's widening gap between the rich and the poor, he said.
Regarding the recent killing of UDD security guard, Mr Tharit said an investigation would be conducted to see whether the killing stemmed from a personal conflict or from politics. If it is related to the recent demonstration or politics, the DSI would probe the matter.
Sakrin Kongkaew also known as Uan Buayai, 24, a Red Shirt leader in Nakhon Ratchasima was shot dead in that province's Buayai municipality. He was earlier summoned to report to the authorities at Suranaree army camp on May 2 for his role in the anti-government protest.
Currently, about one hundred UDD protesters imprisoned for violating the State of Emergency are now being detained at Bangkok Remand Prison, excluding some of them now jailed in upcountry. (TNA)
