Khamronwit to speak about Akeyuth murder probe today

Akeyuth’s lawyer and family raised about a dozen matters linked to his murder, which they felt had not been properly answered despite the arrest of his driver and several alleged accomplices. 

Polls have revealed public scepticism about police handling of the high-profile case. 

Meanwhile, Institute of Forensic Medicine chief Pornchai Sutheerakhun said autopsy results have been given to Phatthalung police chief Saksommai Phuttha-kul, as he was the officer who submitted Akeyuth’s body. 

Pornchai affirmed that there was no toxin nor sedative in Akeyuth’s liver, while the swollen testicle, which prompted suspicion of him being assaulted, was most likely from the fact he had been dead for days prior to the discovery – not assault.

Human rights lawyer Somchai Hom-laor said the government must ensure that the public are left with no doubt as to who was behind the abduction and killing of the anti-government activist and funds manager – otherwise Thai society will descend into a climate of fear, particularly for opponents of the Yingluck Shinawatra administration.

“The impact is on the sense of security of people who are on the opposite side of the government. They feel very insecure,” Somchai told The Nation yesterday. 

Diplomats and foreign rights activists expressed surprise over how such a high-profile person could suffer such a fate, he said.

Regardless of whether Akeyuth was involved in dubious business deals, there was no reason for society to condone such a killing.

Somchai said it was imperative to get independent oversight of the ongoing police investigation into the murder to ensure it was not a case of a state killing and a cover-up.

 

Probe’s reliability questioned

National Human Rights Commissioner Niran Pitakwat-chra, who chairs the NHRC’s panel on Civil and Political Rights, is looking into the case after two people, whom he refused to name for fear of jeopardising their safety, lodged a complaint asking the rights body to look into the reliability of the ongoing police investigation.

Niran said the panel would summon police investigators for questioning next week after officers postponed a meeting this week. 

The commissioner said he personally felt that were issues which were suspicious, such as the disappearance of CCTV cameras at Akeyuth’s house. 

The NHRC will dispatch a team to Phatthalung, where Akeyuth’s body was found.