NACC defends limited appeal in yellow-shirts case
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Wednesday defended its decision to only appeal against the acquittal of one of the top officials in the case concerning the violent crackdown on yellow shirts in 2008.
NACC President Pol. Gen. Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit said the NACC had thoroughly examined the evidence in every case as well as the text in the court’s verdicts.
He also pointed out that the NACC had to weigh up its chances of winning each appeal and it had come to the conclusion that there was only a slim prospect of successful appeals against the other three defendants, including former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders earlier 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 relation to the police crackdown on yellow-shirt protesters in October 2008 that left two people dead and more than 400 injured.
The NACC disagrees only with the acquittal of Suchart. It claims that he, as an operational commander on that day, was familiar with the security procedures to be followed and had the authority, which he did not use, to issue orders to cease the crackdown and the use of tear gas against the protesters.
The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Monday filed a petition urging the NACC to expedite its decision on whether to appeal against the case, as the 30-day deadline was drawing to a close and it was concerned the NACC might leave it too late.
Pol Gen Watcharapol said the NACC would file its appeal to the court by Friday.
He also denied an accusation that the NACC’s decision not to appeal against the other three was to help Pol Gen Patcharawat, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan’s brother.