Slain activist's family arrested over leaflet protest
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PAYAO AKKAHAD and her son Nattapat were arrested yesterday under the Skytrain's Morchit station for distributing leaflets criticising the Criminal Court's rejection of murder charges against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his then deputy Su
Their daughter and sister Kamolkade, a volunteer medic, was killed during the authorities’ crackdown on red-shirt protesters in 2010.
Pansak Srithep, the father of Samaphan, who was also killed in a military crackdown on protesters from the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship in May 2010, was also nabbed for the same activity at nearby Chatuchak Park. The three were taken to Bang Sue Police Station for questioning. And they were later released in the evening.
Payao said she was seeking justice. “This should be regarded as a criminal and not political case because many people died in the 2010 rally. If the case is tried by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, convicts will be held to less severe punishment.
Payao said she was seeking justice. “This should be regarded as a criminal and not political case because many people died in the 2010 rally. If the case is tried by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, convicts will be held to less severe punishment.
“It’s not fair for the relatives of the people who died. We want this to be a landmark case. If other PMs give such orders, they must face criminal action,” she said.
The Criminal Court on Thursday said that it did not have jurisdiction over the case and that the case should be referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The DSI had accused Abhisit and Suthep of murder for their roles in the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation’s operations against anti-government demonstrators in 2010.
Dozens of red shirts were killed during the 2010 political unrest.
