Abhisit testifies on 2010 bloody crackdown
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Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday testified and presented documents to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) concerning his government's crackdown on the 2010 red-shirt protests.
Suthep Thaugsuban, serving as deputy premier in the Abhisit government, is scheduled to be questioned by the DSI later today.
Tharit Pengdit, appointed as DSI chief during the Abhisit government and as retained the position, said he will refrain from involvement in the case. His deputy, Pol Col Prawet Moolpramuk, will take charge of the investigation.
The investigation team includes Deputy Metropolitan Police Commander Pol Maj Anuchai Lekbumrung and a deputy director of the Office of Special Attorney General.
Tharit said the former premier will be asked to explain the previous government’s rationale for its operations and announcements to respond to the political riots in March to May, 2010.
Both Abhisit and Suthep, said the DSI chief, were asked to present their statements for the first time as witnesses and authorities from the political side that who supervised the crackdown.
The now-dissolved Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) was specially set up on April 7, 2010 to oversee the red-shirt rallies. Tharit was also a CRES member.
Asked if he himself will be summoned for questioning, Tharit said he was a CRES member on the civilian side, which had not been involved in the crackdown operations.
He said it is up to the investigation committee’s judgement as to who will be called for questioning in the future.
Earlier Abhisit told reporters that he believed Tharit, in his capacity as DSI director and a CRES member, understood the reasons behind the orders issued during the rallies.
The former premier said he had earlier given separate statements to Parliament's House of Representatives, the Truth for Conciliation Commission and the National Human Rights Commission.
