ID :
78864
Mon, 09/07/2009 - 19:45
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http://m.oananews.org//node/78864
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Ex-PM, police chief face criminal charges, discipline for Oct 7 crackdown
BANGKOK, Sept 7 (TNA) – Thailand’s National Counter-Corruption Commission (NCCC) ruled on Monday that criminal and disciplinary action should be taken against former premier Somchai Wongsawat, then deputy premier Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyut and seven high-ranking police officers including National Police Chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan for their roles in the crackdown on the yellow-shirted anti-government protesters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on October 7 last year.
Nine top officials are alleged to have committed malfeasance, or acts which are legally unjustified, harmful or contrary to law or in violation of public trust, in ordering and using force to disperse the crowd of PAD protesters.
Two PAD protesters were killed and nearly 500 others were wounded or injured when police fired teargas into their ranks near Parliament and at Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters.
While the PAD surrounded Parliament to protest against the Somchai government, then prime minister Somchai called a special Cabinet meeting on October 6, which resolved that the police should open the way for members of parliament, both from the Lower House and the Senate, to attend a joint meeting for the government to present its policy at Parliament as scheduled.
Gen Chavalit, then overseeing national security, was assigned to head the mission, but Gen Patcharawat was fully in charge of the situation. The crackdown, in which the tear gas was used to disperse the protesters, resulted in some protesters losing their limbs.
The NCCC said the police were found to have exercised a lack of discretion and inappropriateness in using weapons to disperse the gathering as the violent measures could be avoided.
The police chief failed to order a halt to the crackdown despite many being found to be seriously wounded.
After the crackdown, Gen Chavalit stepped down as deputy prime minister to take responsibility.
Gen Patcharawat also facing severe disciplinary action on top of the criminal charges.
Other police officers facing criminal and disciplinary charges included then Commander of the Metropolitan Police Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Muankaew, Deputy Commanders of the Metropolitan Police Pol Maj-Gen Likit Klinuan, Pol Maj Gen Akarat Meeprecha, Pol Maj-Gen Wiboon Bangthamai and Pol Maj-Gen Chakthip Chaijinda.
Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Wiroj Paholwet only faces disciplinary action.
The NCCC would submit the case to the Attorney-General Office to file charges at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Position Holders for final ruling.
As for the disciplinary action, NCCC would send the case to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to forward it to consider the action by both the police board and the Police Commission within 30 days and to report the decision on punishment to the NCCC within 15 days.
There were reportedly two options for punishment, dismissal or being decommissioned. (TNA)
Nine top officials are alleged to have committed malfeasance, or acts which are legally unjustified, harmful or contrary to law or in violation of public trust, in ordering and using force to disperse the crowd of PAD protesters.
Two PAD protesters were killed and nearly 500 others were wounded or injured when police fired teargas into their ranks near Parliament and at Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters.
While the PAD surrounded Parliament to protest against the Somchai government, then prime minister Somchai called a special Cabinet meeting on October 6, which resolved that the police should open the way for members of parliament, both from the Lower House and the Senate, to attend a joint meeting for the government to present its policy at Parliament as scheduled.
Gen Chavalit, then overseeing national security, was assigned to head the mission, but Gen Patcharawat was fully in charge of the situation. The crackdown, in which the tear gas was used to disperse the protesters, resulted in some protesters losing their limbs.
The NCCC said the police were found to have exercised a lack of discretion and inappropriateness in using weapons to disperse the gathering as the violent measures could be avoided.
The police chief failed to order a halt to the crackdown despite many being found to be seriously wounded.
After the crackdown, Gen Chavalit stepped down as deputy prime minister to take responsibility.
Gen Patcharawat also facing severe disciplinary action on top of the criminal charges.
Other police officers facing criminal and disciplinary charges included then Commander of the Metropolitan Police Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Muankaew, Deputy Commanders of the Metropolitan Police Pol Maj-Gen Likit Klinuan, Pol Maj Gen Akarat Meeprecha, Pol Maj-Gen Wiboon Bangthamai and Pol Maj-Gen Chakthip Chaijinda.
Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Wiroj Paholwet only faces disciplinary action.
The NCCC would submit the case to the Attorney-General Office to file charges at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Position Holders for final ruling.
As for the disciplinary action, NCCC would send the case to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to forward it to consider the action by both the police board and the Police Commission within 30 days and to report the decision on punishment to the NCCC within 15 days.
There were reportedly two options for punishment, dismissal or being decommissioned. (TNA)
