ID :
133137
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 11:30
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http://m.oananews.org//node/133137
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DSI seeks court permission to detain slain protest general's aide
BANGKOK, July 16 - Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on Friday will seek a court order to detain a close aide of the late Red Shirt military strategist and army specialist Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol after the accused confessed to being involved in multiple attacks during the recent anti-government Red Shirt protests.
DSI director-general Thairit Pengdit said Surachai Thewarat, 25, told investigators he was a close aide of Gen Khattiya and used military weapons with lethal intent in several areas during the Red Shirt protests.
Mr Tharit said Mr Surachai’s testimony is considered most useful to the case and investigators continued questioning him before seeking a court order for his detention Friday afternoon.
Mr Surachai, who is subject to an outstanding arrest warrant of terrorism, was arrested Thursday in Lopburi province, 150 km north of Bangkok, after his mobile phone signal was intercepted. He is accused of having fired multiple M79 grenades at police housing in the Lumpini area on May 15 and involvement in an M16 attack on the police on duty at Saladaeng crossroads in May, killing two police officers.
Gen Khattiya planned the attacks and trained himself and other team members to use the M79 grenades, and other weapons, as well as fighting tactics.
He was also suspected to have been involved in the killing of the president of the Nakhon Sawan Provincial Administrative Organisation who was shot dead on July 12 as his conversation during a phone call was detected as saying he had "big job" to do.
Pol Col Sanit Mahathavorn, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division, questioned Mr Surachai Friday morning and brought pictures of suspects in an armed black-clad group to ask him to identify team members.
Mr Surachai reportedly confessed to police investigators that he visited China in March 2009 with Gen Khattiya and some 20 black-clad members.
He said the late general provided travel expenses and accommodation, but declined to say whether or not they were in China for arms training.
Mr Surachai confessed to firing three bullets at the Dusit Thani Hotel during the protests as he was angry that Gen Khattiya was shot dead in the area, adding that the entire black-clad team dispersed after the general's death.
The aide said he fled to Cambodia to stay with Red Shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong, who remains there. Mr Surachai claimed the Cambodian authorities provide shelter for the protest leader.
Mr Arisman has been charged for terrorism along with other Red Shirt leaders, but he and Suporn Attapong escaped prosecution, while other
leaders surrendered to police and are now being detained in a Thai prison. (MCOT online news).
DSI director-general Thairit Pengdit said Surachai Thewarat, 25, told investigators he was a close aide of Gen Khattiya and used military weapons with lethal intent in several areas during the Red Shirt protests.
Mr Tharit said Mr Surachai’s testimony is considered most useful to the case and investigators continued questioning him before seeking a court order for his detention Friday afternoon.
Mr Surachai, who is subject to an outstanding arrest warrant of terrorism, was arrested Thursday in Lopburi province, 150 km north of Bangkok, after his mobile phone signal was intercepted. He is accused of having fired multiple M79 grenades at police housing in the Lumpini area on May 15 and involvement in an M16 attack on the police on duty at Saladaeng crossroads in May, killing two police officers.
Gen Khattiya planned the attacks and trained himself and other team members to use the M79 grenades, and other weapons, as well as fighting tactics.
He was also suspected to have been involved in the killing of the president of the Nakhon Sawan Provincial Administrative Organisation who was shot dead on July 12 as his conversation during a phone call was detected as saying he had "big job" to do.
Pol Col Sanit Mahathavorn, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division, questioned Mr Surachai Friday morning and brought pictures of suspects in an armed black-clad group to ask him to identify team members.
Mr Surachai reportedly confessed to police investigators that he visited China in March 2009 with Gen Khattiya and some 20 black-clad members.
He said the late general provided travel expenses and accommodation, but declined to say whether or not they were in China for arms training.
Mr Surachai confessed to firing three bullets at the Dusit Thani Hotel during the protests as he was angry that Gen Khattiya was shot dead in the area, adding that the entire black-clad team dispersed after the general's death.
The aide said he fled to Cambodia to stay with Red Shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong, who remains there. Mr Surachai claimed the Cambodian authorities provide shelter for the protest leader.
Mr Arisman has been charged for terrorism along with other Red Shirt leaders, but he and Suporn Attapong escaped prosecution, while other
leaders surrendered to police and are now being detained in a Thai prison. (MCOT online news).
