Democrat Party claims government using DSI against it
The Democrat Party yesterday accused the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) of allowing itself to be used as a political tool against the opposition.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the DSI had summoned many figures from the opposition party for questioning in relation to complaints filed by individuals linked to the ruling Pheu Thai Party. He himself had been questioned in connection with the political unrest of 2010, during which he served as the prime minister.
Abhisit said he suspected the goal was to find fault among the Democrats and take legal action against them.
“In many cases, they [the DSI] told us we were being questioned as witnesses. But, as it has turned out, the goal was to find fault with us [for having] done something wrong in some matter,” said Abhisit, who is the opposition leader. He was speaking to the pro-Democrat, satellite-based television Blue Sky Channel.
Abhisit also noted that the moves against the Democrats appeared to have been expedited ahead of the censure debate against four Cabinet members, including the prime minister, to be held later this month.
Sathit Wongnongtaey, another senior Democrat figure, yesterday said Abhisit appeared to be the DSI’s main target.
“There is an attempt to issue an arrest warrant for the Democrat Party leader. The charge is failing to cooperate with the DSI,” Sathit said.
He also said it was agreed among Democrats that the DSI failed to act fairly when dealing with Democrat figures accused of wrongdoing.
“We would like society to be aware of this government’s attempts to persecute the opposition in many ways. And the DSI has become a tool in dealing with the opposition,” Sathit said. “We don’t want the DSI to become a political tool.”
He said the Democrats had formed a working group to gather information about the DSI’s dealing with cases against Democrat figures, for possible legal action in the future.
DSI deputy director-general Prawet Moonpramuk said yesterday that 13 members of the Abhisit Cabinet had been summoned for questioning in connection with the political violence of 2010. He added that most had postponed their appointments with the DSI.
