Police report nearly ready in Japanese cameraman's death
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The police investigation into the death of a Japanese cameraman in connection with last year's political mayhem is being wrapped up and the prosecution review will commence next week, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said yesterday.
“The Japanese government can rest assured that the case will be solved in a transparent manner and in accordance with the judicial process,” he told Japanese Ambassador Seiji Kojima.
Chalerm said the police report was virtually done pending additional statements from former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban. The two were in charge of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation that authorised the anti-riot operations.
Abhisit and Suthep are scheduled to give their statements by Friday. Should there be no delay, the police report should reach the Office of the Attorney-General around next Wednesday.
The deputy prime minister said the government has assigned top priority to resolving the 91 deaths related to the mayhem.
He said based on forensic checks and witnesses, it was clear that the killing of cameraman Hiroyuki Muramoto might involve state officials who were responsible for crowd control.
Under judicial procedures, the lower court would launch an inquest into the Muramoto case, he said. As per relevant laws, the anti-riot forces would receive immunity for their action but their superiors would be held accountable if the court found the use of force to be excessive, he said.
He said he did not want to comment on the progress of the investigation under the previous government but in just three months under his supervision, the case was near completion.
Emerging from his meeting with Chalerm, Ambassador Kojima said the Japanese government and the family of the deceased had attached importance to the discovery of the facts related to the killing.
