NACC considering more evidence on violent yellow-shirt crackdown
THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission is still considering additional evidence about violence during the crackdown on yellow-shirt protesters in 2008 and has not reached a conclusion yet on whether it will withdraw the case from court, NACC chairman Pol
Protesters with the People’s Alliance for Democracy were violently dispersed from outside Parliament in October 2008, leading to a charge by the NACC against the then prime minister and his deputy, plus two senior police chiefs, for alleged malfeasance. Two people were killed and more than 300 injured, including police.
Those charged were former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, former National Police chief Pol General Patcharawat Wongsuwan and ex-Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-General Suchart Muankaew.
The case is with the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.
The defendants recently submitted additional evidence to the NACC, asking it to withdraw the court case.
Watcharapol confirmed that the anti-graft agency was still considering the evidence, and had yet to reach any conclusion.
One of the defendants, Patcharawat, is Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan’s brother. The deputy PM reportedly backed Watcharapol as the new NACC chairman, leading to speculation by some observers that nepotism could be at play.
Anti-corruption activist Veera Somkwamkid has threatened to sue the NACC if it drops the case.
‘Critical case’
Watcharapol said the NACC was authorised to consider whether the case should be withdrawn from the court, but he said it would depend on the new evidence – if it carries enough weight for the NACC to consider doing that.
Watcharapol said the NACC had assigned officials to study the evidence and they would report back to the commission.
“We are fully aware that this case is critical and we must be able to answer to the public on whether to proceed with the case. So we must pursue it with utmost righteousness and professionalism,” the NACC chief said.
Watcharapol said the defendants could also file a petition to ask the court to withdraw the case, but that would be the court’s business – it had nothing to do with the NACC proceedings, as they were different institutions.
The NACC, he said, would pursue the case after a lawful legal assessment.
“Considering the legal aspect, we can withdraw the case, but with what reasons is rather a bigger issue that we need to consider carefully,” he said.
