Theft the motive in Akeyuth murder: police
Play
Police investigators insisted yesterday that theft was the motive for the murder of businessman and government opponent Akeyuth Anchanbutr.
Pol Maj-General Parinya Chansuriya, deputy Metropolitan Police commissioner, said investigators have ruled out other motives.
Investigators were now in the process of concluding the case, after compiling strong evidence, Parinya said, adding that the case would be passed on to public prosecutors, who would charge the four suspects in court. The suspects include Akeyuth’s chauffeur, Santiparb Pengduang.
Investigators could answer all of the 13 points of suspicion raised by Akeyuth’s relatives and lawyer, Suwat Apaipak, Parinya said.
Also yesterday, the House committee on police affairs held a meeting on the Akeyuth case. Deputy Police commissioner-general Pol General Parnsiri Prapawat, Metropolitan Police chief Pol Lt-General Khamronwit Thupkrajang, Forensic Medicine Institute Commander Pol Maj-General Pornchai Suthirakhun and Suwat were summoned to testify.
Suwat told the House panel that several suspicious points relating to the chauffeur had led him to believe that Akeyuth was assassinated at someone’s order. Suwat added that Akeyuth had told him he had conflicts with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Suwat said he had learned that a group of men dressed like military and police officers were seen at the mouth of the soi in which Akeyuth had dinner before he was abducted.
But Wang Thonglang Police Station chief Pol Colonel Sanhakij Bamrungsuksawat told the House panel that police had checked security-camera footage and found no trace of such a group of men.
