PAD pushes for decision on Somchai appeal
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Monday filed a petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission to expedite its decision on whether to appeal against the acquittal of former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and three other former officials 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.
Veera Somkwamkid, a member of the PAD’s working group to monitor the appeal, said the 30-day appeal deadline was drawing to a close, with just four days left, and the PAD was concerned whether the NACC would appeal the case in time.
Veera claimed that one judge wrote in his minority judgement a clear reason why the defendants should be punished, and there was a great amount of detail about the court deliberation that was worth sharing with the public.
The group suggested the NACC write to the court asking for an extension of the appeal deadline as allowed by the law.
The NACC said it would meet on Tuesday, August 29 to consider the issue.