NACC to appeal one verdict in Somchai case
THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) yesterday decided to appeal against the acquittal of one of the officials who were cleared along with former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat in a case concerning their roles in the violent crackdown on yellow shirts in 2008.
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders early this month acquitted Somchai, his deputy Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, then-police chief Pol General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, and then-Metropolitan police chief Pol Lt-General Suchart Muenkaew.
The four defendants were found not guilty in regard to the police crackdown on yellow-shirt protesters in October 2008 that left two people dead and more than 400 injured.
The NACC agreed with the court acquittal on the first three defendants, but not the fourth, Pol Lt General Suchart. It claimed that he, as a commander of the operation on that day, knew the security procedures well and had authority to issue orders to cease the crackdown and the use of tear gas against the protestors, but did not do so.
The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Monday filed a petition urging the body to expedite its decision on whether to appeal against the case, as the 30-day appeal deadline was drawing to a close. The PAD was concerned whether the NACC would appeal the case in time.