Court date for Somchai, police over PAD crackdown
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THE SUPREME Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders has scheduled the first hearing in May against former PM Somchai Wongsawat and others over alleged abuse of authority for ordering the crackdown on protesters surrounding Parliament in 200
Thanarerk Nitiserani, chairman of the division and the judge who presided over the case on Monday, accepted the case filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission against Somchai, his deputy General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, ex-police chief Pol General Patcharawat Wongsuwan and ex-Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-General Suchart Muankaew.
The anti-graft agency accused the four of violating Provision 157 of the Criminal Code and the Anti Corruption Act 1999 and Provision 295 and 302 of the 2007 charter.
The NACC suit said the four ordered police to disperse the People’s Alliance for Democracy protesters who laid siege to Parliament on October 7, 2008.
The panel of nine judges headed by Thanarerk scheduled May 11 for the first hearing at 9.30 am.
The court has sent summonses to the four to give testimony on whether they would confess or plead not guilty to the charges.
