Abhisit gives statement to police
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Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva gave his statement on Friday on the last year's political disturbances.
Abhisit is accompanied by his chief lawyer Bundit Siripan. He met 10 investigators at the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
Police have sought Abhisit's statement on his role as the then prime minister overseeing the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation tasked to keep peace in the face the red-shirt rallies.
The police interview of Abhisit is part of the forensic checks into the cause of 16 killings suspected to involve security forces. Altogether 91 people died in connection with violent incidents from March to May last year.
On Thursday, Democrat MP Suthep Thuagsuban, accompanied by his lawyer and former attorney general Kanung Luechai, gave his statement as the then deputy prime minister and CRES director.
Emerging from his meeting with investigators, he said he told police that he was responsible for the April 10, 2010 crowd control.
He said he issued the order as CRES director and that Abhisit had no involvement in the operations.
He asserted he acted within his mandate given by the emergency decree and that the security forces had carried out their work within the legal limits.
The violence and bloodshed on Rajdamnoen Avenue was caused by the men in black, he said.
He is scheduled to meet police for a second interview on December 14 to outline incidents leading to the May 19, 2010 crowd dispersal at Ratchaprasong Intersection.
Chief investigator Maj General Anuchai Lekbumrung said he was confident the report on the 16 deaths could be wrapped up by the December 17 deadline.
