Akeyuth murder suspects to hear charges today
The Criminal Court will today hear charges filed yesterday against Santiparb Pengduang and five others for allegedly robbing and murdering outspoken government critic Akeyuth Anchanbutr.
Public prosecutor Supachai Kongprapan said yesterday the charges include robbing and causing death by using arms and vehicles, premeditated murder to cover up guilt, coercing others and threatening a person’s life, liberty and assets.
Other charges include forcing a person to endorse rights documents by assault, destroying rights documents, detaining and depriving persons of liberty that led to death, and concealing, transporting and destroying of the body to conceal death or cause of death.
Additional charges were conspiring to carry arms into urban areas, villages and the public without valid reason; possessing firearms and ammunition without permission; carrying arms and ammunition in public places without reason or permission; and accepting stolen items.
Santiparb, who worked as Akeyuth’s chauffeur, and three other suspects detained at Bangkok Remand Prison will be summoned to testify today.
Pol Sub-Lieutenant Pongniwat Yuthapanboriparn, chief prosecutor for criminal litigation, said prosecutors decided to file charges against all suspects in line with the investigation dossier. Although Suwat Apaipak, the attorney for the slain businessman, claimed there were more powerful people behind Akeyuth’s death, Pongniwat said this accusation was not included in the police file, but new evidence can be found, new charges can be pressed.
Prosecutors plan to make their case with 70 witnesses and circumstantial evidence, documents and photos.
