Premchai poaching probe to consider ‘new angles’
The investigation team into the allegations against construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta for illegal poaching in a wildlife sanctuary will dig deeper, as prosecutors say they have found important “new angles” that will make their case firmer.
Attorney General’s Office deputy spokesperson Trumph Charliechan told a press conference on Tuesday morning that the prosecuting attorneys had read the docket of evidence in the Premchai case and decided to let the investigation team look into few specific topics related to the circumstance of the crime. This would enhance the comprehensiveness and sturdiness of the indictment, he said.
Trumph said the investigation team would have to submit results on the assigned topics by next Monday. He gave his assurance that this order would not delay the prosecution of the case.
“It is very important to make sure that the indictment in this case will be as prudent as possible,” he said. “The prime suspect, Premchai, strongly insists that he did not commit any of the offences, so a comprehensive and firm indictment will be very important to bring him to justice.”
Trumph declined to clarify details of the new angles being investigated, saying that disclosure would negatively affect litigation.
He also said that there was enough time for prosecutors to take the case to the court, as the suspects were currently under their fourth session of remand and police could still remand them for three more sessions.
According to law, the prosecuting attorney can detain the suspects for 12 days per each remand session. For this case, they can detain the suspects for 36 days after the fourth remand session ends on Sunday. Currently, Premchai is free on bail of Bt150,000.
The Region 7 Attorney Office director, Somsri Wattanapaisan, said the working group on this case was operating without any influence and according to legal proceedings, so the public could be sure that the case would be litigated justly.