Jatuporn: DSI distorted facts in cameraman death

By The Nation

Redshirt leader and Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan yesterday accused the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tharit Pengdit and former police forensic science chief Amporn Jarujinda of trying to favour the culprits involved in the death of a Japanese cameraman.

Reuters News Agency cameraman Hiroyuki Muramoto died on duty while covering the clashes between soldiers and redshirt leaders on April 10 last year.

On Sunday, Tharit and Amporn announced they believed the weapon used to kill Muramoto was an AK47 assault rifle. Tharit said the armed forces were not equipped with the AK47.

"They have distorted the case," Jatuporn said yesterday, adding that Tharit should face a criminal charge.

According to Jatuporn, many military units carried AK47 assault rifles in their operations but did not declare the weapons in their books.

"There are many former senior military chiefs in the Pheu Thai Party. They know about undeclared weapons at military units," the opposition MP said.

Jatuporn warned Tharit to stop intimidating the justreleased seven redshirt leaders from joining a red rally on March 12.

"He must stop such behaviour otherwise I am going to sue him," Jatuporn said. He is not among the seven because his MP status gave him immunity from detention.

Jatuporn said Tharit had no mandate to prevent the seven red leaders from joining the rally because their bail conditions did not include such restrictions.

When asked about the DSI's latest press conference about the death of Muratomo, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the DSI wanted to update the public about progress in this case.

"But the case has not been concluded yet," he said. The premier added that the DSI had gathered information and forwarded the case to the National Police Office.

Asked whether the DSI had worked in response to public sentiment, Abhisit said, "The DSI has investigated the case based on facts. I have instructed it to speed up the investigation but I've never given any deadline".

Abhisit said many independent panels were also looking into the death of the Japanese cameraman.

-- The Nation 2011-03-02

On Sunday, Tharit and Amporn announced they believed the weapon used to kill Muramoto was an AK47 assault rifle. Tharit said the armed forces were not equipped with the AK47.

Believed???

What the heck? He is an "expert" and professional! In such things is no space for BELIEVE. Certain thing and proof is needed. Ridiculous statement, especially if one group of investigators already said it was M-16.

In the other hand, i am quite sure Jatuporn can get some pictures as proof that some units in Thai Army, use AK-47. Especcialy as PTP have so many of army staff as members.

Jatuporn should to stop using in accusations word as SHOULD( face criminal charges) and to use WILL instead. If he really want to discredit political rivals.

I wonder, except Deputy of PM who is having Political Science University degree, does any politician(both sides) have some education close to job they do?

Jataporn is an fine, upstanding Thai citizen who would never tell the truth when a lie will do

he is the stereotypical example of a Red Thai politician...........

One person earlier said he believed it may be a M-16,

others later say they believe it may have been a AK-47.

Those that wish to distort both statements will do so depending on their political beliefs. Beliefs that much more control facts here than the truth or reality. A case such as this is very, very difficult to have absolute certainty about, just 'best believed educated guesses', based on evidence that is by the nature of the situation going to be incomplete.

That it will find detractors is understandable.

That Jatuporn will be one and the loudest is a given.

That Jatuporn's credibility is nil is also a given,

but he still gets responded to, rather than let his

pronouncements just float about as if truth.

Edited March 2, 201115 yr by animatic

I think what its telling is that he doesn't deny it was an AK47 bullet that hit the cameraman, but instead tries to imply that soldiers on the 10th of May had AK47s.

Maybe they did, but I don't listen to Jatuporn. He is bat shit crazy. Someone else want to voice their concern?