Thai Officials Agree Imam Death Payout: Court

[webfact]

Thai officials agree imam death payout: court

BANGKOK, July 28, 2011 (AFP) - Thai security forces have agreed to pay compensation to the family of an imam who died in military custody three years ago in Thailand's insurgency-plagued south, a court confirmed Wednesday.

Imam Yapa Koseng, 56, was arrested on March 19, 2008 and died two days later after a violent interrogation, in a case that inflamed tensions in the Muslim-majority south and drew strong condemnation from rights groups.

The army, defence ministry and police agreed to pay his wife Nima Koseng and three children a total of 5.2 million baht ($175,000) in compensation during arbitration at Bangkok's Civil Court.

In its verdict on the case, the court said the payments were for reputational damage, the cost of the funeral and to support the family.

After examining the crime scene, "it was found that... (Yapa) and his family were not at all involved with any insurgency," said a court report of proceedings, released by Thai rights group Cross Cultural Foundation.

"The three defendants felt sorry for what happened."

Nima has separately filed criminal charges against five soldiers, accusing them of illegal detention, abuse of power and torture resulting in death, but a provincial court dismissed the case in Sept 2010, saying it should be tried by a martial court.

She has since asked the Supreme Court to rule on whether the case can be tried by a criminal court.

Yapa's death provoked a storm of controversy at the time, with Human Rights Watch warning of "systematic and widespread" ill-treatment of detainees.

More than 4,500 people, both Muslims and Buddhists, have died in almost daily attacks since shadowy insurgents launched an uprising in Thailand's three southernmost provinces in early 2004.

Struggling to quell the unrest, authorities have imposed emergency rule allowing the army to detain suspects for questioning without charge.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-07-28

[LJW]

I have lived here for 27 years and feel so sad about the deep south

[WolfgangSladkowski]

I have lived here for 27 years and feel so sad about the deep south

Me too. I lived in both Yala and Pattani in the early 90's and when the situation allows it, I would return to the South.

[jdinasia]

I hope the Supreme Court decides that the case can be heard in criminal court so the family does not have to rely on a military court to bring the perps to justice.

[tonglen]

Payouts? And what about the many deaths of Buddhist victims at the hands of Muslim terrorists? Where are the payouts to their families?

[Hardie]

Payouts? And what about the many deaths of Buddhist victims at the hands of Muslim terrorists? Where are the payouts to their families?

Is that a suggestion or just another anti-Islamic rant? I assume anyone is free to file a civil suit...

[ajarnmark]

Payouts? And what about the many deaths of Buddhist victims at the hands of Muslim terrorists? Where are the payouts to their families?

Whats wrong with you? Watching too much Fox news?

This is clearly a case where an person died due to abuse of power. What did he have to with the deaths of Buddhist victims?

Why to drag religion in everything? Can two wrongs make one right?

[Thai at Heart]

Why a military tribunal? I notice this is the same as the case of the army guy running down the doctor.

These are crimes that should be handled by a civilian court, and putting them in a military court serves nothing more than to suggest that the army is not bound by civilian law.

[SouthernMan3]

Payouts? And what about the many deaths of Buddhist victims at the hands of Muslim terrorists? Where are the payouts to their families?

Well put

Not that I endorse ("died two days later after a violent interrogation") this type of behavior.

Very different topic in my humble opinion.

[Huey]

I just earned a lil more respect for the justice system here. I do hope the money actually end's up in the hands of the Imam's family soon.