Case Of Japanese Cameraman Hiro Muramotos's Death Forwarded To Prosecutors

[webfact]

Case of Japanese Cameraman's Death Forwarded to Prosecutors

Police have forwarded a case file of the death of the Japanese cameraman killed during the crackdown on red-shirt protests last year to state prosecutors.

Deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Police Major General Anuchai Lekbamrung, revealed that the city police chief has finished examining the case file of the death of Japanese cameraman from Reuters news agency, Hiro Muramoto.

The city police chief has assigned deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 9, Police Colonel Wallop Prathummuang, who heads the special investigation team, to present the case file to state prosecutors.

The case file, consisting of almost 2,000 pages, will be presented to state prosecutors of the Department of Southern Bangkok Criminal Litigation.

Asked about the new evidence uncovered by a private investigation firm hired by Reuters for Muramoto's death, the deputy city police chief said the findings have been forwarded to the National Police Office's Foreign Affairs Division to be translated.

The translated documents will be forwarded to the state prosecutors as additional evidence.

Anuchai confirmed that police do not feel pressured by the case and there is no outside intervention trying to influence the outcome of the investigation process.

He also insisted that police are tackling the case from all possible angles.

The deputy city police chief vowed to give justice to all parties involved in the case.

Anuchai went on to say that police have no authority to say who is right or wrong.

He said the agency's duty was only to do an autopsy and collect evidence to present to the prosecutors.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-13

[webfact]

Police send Japanese cameraman's case to prosecutors

Police have already concluded the investigation report on the death of Japanese cameraman Hiro Muramoto, who was gunned down during the clash of red-shirt demonstrators and soldiers in Bangkok last year.

The report was forwarded to public prosecutors Wednesday afternoon.

Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj General Anuchai Lekbamrung disclosed that the case was backed with evidence in the forms of still photos and video recordings.

-- The Nation 2011-12-13

[whybother]

When do they tell everyone who they are going to prosecute?

[KRS1]

So there just happened to be a camera pointed at the reported when he got killed....out of thousands of people.

and another camera pointed at the trajectories source.

[TheWalkingMan]

So there just happened to be a camera pointed at the reported when he got killed....out of thousands of people.

and another camera pointed at the trajectories source.

Miracle Thailand.

[backtonormal]

Police send Japanese cameraman's case to prosecutors

Police have already concluded the investigation report on the death of Japanese cameraman Hiro Muramoto, who was gunned down during the clash of red-shirt demonstrators and soldiers in Bangkok last year.

The report was forwarded to public prosecutors Wednesday afternoon.

Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj General Anuchai Lekbamrung disclosed that the case was backed with evidence in the forms of still photos and video recordings.

-- The Nation 2011-12-13

14 months under Dem Government = no advance in investigation. 4 months under this gov and all the 2000 pages have been forwarded to consider a prosecution. Really which party has been hiding the evidence. Interesting times ahead.

[backtonormal]

So there just happened to be a camera pointed at the reported when he got killed....out of thousands of people.

and another camera pointed at the trajectories source.

footage of him being shot..believable. Then take note of entry and exit wounds = direction bullet came from, quite easy really. Now who gave the orders to shoot an innocent reporter doing his job. The footage is unlikely to have come from a Thai tv crew, they only reported what the cres told them to but 100s of foreign cameramen at the scene. This maybe the wedge the PT need to follow the chain of command if the army is found guilty of shooting him.

Edited December 13, 2011 by Scott
formatting

[animatic]

When do they tell everyone who they are going to prosecute?

Yes?

When do they tell everyone who they are going to prosecute persecute?

Well this is Thailand and justice won't be done,

it just needs to be seen to be done, regardless if the outcome is just.

And completely regardless of whether the facts are on display, or whether it's just a political chimera and public charade that is put forward as reality.

The likelihood of this 'going up the chain of command is nil, even if they find the actual person and gun that he was shot with. Which they would have trumpeted long and loud by know if they had. Worst case it ends, full stop, with the dead commander on site.

This is Chalermic grandstanding to throw political mud about, and of course to help convince Japanese investors to stay post flood by appearing to try and 'get to the bottom of this'. And more so, to ensure Japanese official investment in Mega Projects continues. Can't cut off the gravy train no matter what. And of course Chalerm is playing to the cheap seats.

Edited December 13, 2011 by animatic

[KRS1]

So there just happened to be a camera pointed at the reported when he got killed....out of thousands of people.

and another camera pointed at the trajectories source.

footage of him being shot..believable. Then take note of entry and exit wounds = direction bullet came from, quite easy really. Now who gave the orders to shoot an innocent reporter doing his job. The footage is unlikely to have come from a Thai tv crew, they only reported what the cres told them to but 100s of foreign cameramen at the scene. This maybe the wedge the PT need tofollow the chain of command if the army is found guilty of shooting him.

The direction the bullet came from is irrelevant unless you actually see where the shot is being fired from, point source.

[philw]

Police send Japanese cameraman's case to prosecutors

Police have already concluded the investigation report on the death of Japanese cameraman Hiro Muramoto, who was gunned down during the clash of red-shirt demonstrators and soldiers in Bangkok last year.

The report was forwarded to public prosecutors Wednesday afternoon.

Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj General Anuchai Lekbamrung disclosed that the case was backed with evidence in the forms of still photos and video recordings.

-- The Nation 2011-12-13

14 months under Dem Government = no advance in investigation. 4 months under this gov and all the 2000 pages have been forwarded to consider a prosecution. Really which party has been hiding the evidence. Interesting times ahead.

Yep.

[whybother]

So there just happened to be a camera pointed at the reported when he got killed....out of thousands of people.

and another camera pointed at the trajectories source.

footage of him being shot..believable. Then take note of entry and exit wounds = direction bullet came from, quite easy really. Now who gave the orders to shoot an innocent reporter doing his job. The footage is unlikely to have come from a Thai tv crew, they only reported what the cres told them to but 100s of foreign cameramen at the scene. This maybe the wedge the PT need to follow the chain of command if the army is found guilty of shooting him.

Footage of him being shot ... and no mention of it from anyone (international sources included) in all this time?

NOT even by "Mr Know It All". Which basically means that it doesn't exist.

[elgato]

I wonder how long it will take to "translate" the Reuters investigation report.

[somo]

The direction the bullet came from is irrelevant unless you actually see where the shot is being fired from, point source.

Of course the direction it came from is relevant. But then those who refuse to accept that perhaps the authorities at the time were responsible want a slow motion video of the shooter and the bullet coming out of his gun which is then kept in focus as it travels to it's target. Anything less means it must have been a black shirt trying to incriminate the army of excessive force which of course it would never contemplate.

[rubl]

The direction the bullet came from is irrelevant unless you actually see where the shot is being fired from, point source.

Of course the direction it came from is relevant. But then those who refuse to accept that perhaps the authorities at the time were responsible want a slow motion video of the shooter and the bullet coming out of his gun which is then kept in focus as it travels to it's target. Anything less means it must have been a black shirt trying to incriminate the army of excessive force which of course it would never contemplate.

The direction the bullet came from may be relevant, but can only have significance when you know all around the scene. Where was the victim, facing what/who, retracing the trajectory of the bullet where did it seem to come from, etc., etc.

The Reuters report allegedly indicates a clear possibility the victim was shot by army personel. The value of an 'on purpose' suggestion depends on what you want to believe

Edited December 13, 2011 by rubl

[phiphidon]

The direction the bullet came from is irrelevant unless you actually see where the shot is being fired from, point source.

Of course the direction it came from is relevant. But then those who refuse to accept that perhaps the authorities at the time were responsible want a slow motion video of the shooter and the bullet coming out of his gun which is then kept in focus as it travels to it's target. Anything less means it must have been a black shirt trying to incriminate the army of excessive force which of course it would never contemplate.

The direction the bullet came from may be relevant, but can only have significance when you know all around the scene. Where was the victim, facing what/who, retracing the trajectory of the bullet where did it seem to come from, etc., etc.

The Reuters report allegedly indicates a clear possibility the victim was shot by army personel. The value of an 'on purpose' suggestion depends on what you want to believe

I think the truth is far more important than what you want to believe, whichever way it goes. It appears as though the previous government have done all they can to prevent this from being discovered - what have they got to hide if they are in the right? If they are so convinced that the red/black shirts are responsible and that the army are not, they must have evidence to prove it - why has it then taken 18 months to get to this stage?

[rubl]

The direction the bullet came from is irrelevant unless you actually see where the shot is being fired from, point source.

Of course the direction it came from is relevant. But then those who refuse to accept that perhaps the authorities at the time were responsible want a slow motion video of the shooter and the bullet coming out of his gun which is then kept in focus as it travels to it's target. Anything less means it must have been a black shirt trying to incriminate the army of excessive force which of course it would never contemplate.

The direction the bullet came from may be relevant, but can only have significance when you know all around the scene. Where was the victim, facing what/who, retracing the trajectory of the bullet where did it seem to come from, etc., etc.

The Reuters report allegedly indicates a clear possibility the victim was shot by army personel. The value of an 'on purpose' suggestion depends on what you want to believe

I think the truth is far more important than what you want to believe, whichever way it goes. It appears as though the previous government have done all they can to prevent this from being discovered - what have they got to hide if they are in the right? If they are so convinced that the red/black shirts are responsible and that the army are not, they must have evidence to prove it - why has it then taken 18 months to get to this stage?

Part of the discussion is cross-purpose, I think. Nowhere did I say the truth is not important, it's just that to 'clearly' see and be able to point out the truth you have to take time to eliminate aspects which just distract from it. Probably one of the reasons why cases like this take time to conclude. It's not as if in pure daylight with lots of observers along the line in clearly designated areas were able to see, report and judge what was happening.

If the situation was really that clear even the Reuters investigation would have been a bit more exact, which allegedly it isn't. Not after six months, not after 12 and not even after 18 months with our 'in the know' Pol.Capt. Chalerm in charge

[OzMick]

Police send Japanese cameraman's case to prosecutors

Police have already concluded the investigation report on the death of Japanese cameraman Hiro Muramoto, who was gunned down during the clash of red-shirt demonstrators and soldiers in Bangkok last year.

The report was forwarded to public prosecutors Wednesday afternoon.

Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj General Anuchai Lekbamrung disclosed that the case was backed with evidence in the forms of still photos and video recordings.

-- The Nation 2011-12-13

14 months under Dem Government = no advance in investigation. 4 months under this gov and all the 2000 pages have been forwarded to consider a prosecution. Really which party has been hiding the evidence. Interesting times ahead.

And if there was no real evidence to be found, some can always be created. "May you live in interesting times!" is actually a curse.

From memory, it hasn't even been determined what calibre round hit the victim. Video footage shot over a rifleman's shoulder showing him firing and a person being hit would not be conclusive evidence that HIS round did the damage when a number of others are firing in the same area - the round that hit could have from alongside, or above and behind. And I'm quite sure no such video exists.

[webfact]

2010 POLITICAL TURBULENCE

Cameraman's death report ready

The Nation

Police say they have already concluded the investigation into the death of Japanese cameraman Hiro Muramoto, who was gunned down during a clash between red-shirt demonstrators and soldiers in Bangkok last year.

The report was forwarded to public prosecutors yesterday afternoon.

Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj Gen Anuchai Lekbamrung said the case was supported by evidence in the form of still images and video recordings.

"The report is 1,914 pages long," he said.

To date, police say they have already completed investigation into six deaths that took place during the political violence last year.

"We will conclude another 10 cases before the end of this year," Anuchai said.

-- The Nation 2011-12-14

[nurofiend]

hopefully he will get justice for his death.

and i guess some people will probably come in with 'and when are they going to go after the red shirt violence committed?' ... which is a fair question.

and the answer is that the last government were more focused on prosecuting udd/red shirts/opposition than investigating government wrongdoings for obvious reasons

and the current government are more focused on prosecuting the then government than investigating red shirt wrongdoings for obvious reasons

neither side go about it the right way and it is what it is.

unless the current government prove us wrong and do some proper investigating into both sides... yeah, i don't think so either

[patjem]

So there just happened to be a camera pointed at the reported when he got killed....out of thousands of people.

and another camera pointed at the trajectories source.

footage of him being shot..believable. Then take note of entry and exit wounds = direction bullet came from, quite easy really. Now who gave the orders to shoot an innocent reporter doing his job. The footage is unlikely to have come from a Thai tv crew, they only reported what the cres told them to but 100s of foreign cameramen at the scene. This maybe the wedge the PT need to follow the chain of command if the army is found guilty of shooting him.

It is quite unlikely that any individual gave an order to another individual to shoot Muramoto. He was positioned directly in line of crossfire, and it's very likely that he became a statistic of probabilities, which is an unfortunate circumstance rather than purposeful intent.... regardless of where the trajectory path points a finger at (equally likely one of the MiB caught on film that evening as it is an army soldier)..

[ianf]

The direction the bullet came from is irrelevant unless you actually see where the shot is being fired from, point source.

Of course the direction it came from is relevant. But then those who refuse to accept that perhaps the authorities at the time were responsible want a slow motion video of the shooter and the bullet coming out of his gun which is then kept in focus as it travels to it's target. Anything less means it must have been a black shirt trying to incriminate the army of excessive force which of course it would never contemplate.

The direction the bullet came from may be relevant, but can only have significance when you know all around the scene. Where was the victim, facing what/who, retracing the trajectory of the bullet where did it seem to come from, etc., etc.

The Reuters report allegedly indicates a clear possibility the victim was shot by army personel. The value of an 'on purpose' suggestion depends on what you want to believe

I think the truth is far more important than what you want to believe, whichever way it goes. It appears as though the previous government have done all they can to prevent this from being discovered - what have they got to hide if they are in the right? If they are so convinced that the red/black shirts are responsible and that the army are not, they must have evidence to prove it - why has it then taken 18 months to get to this stage?

The difference may well be that the previous democratic government would not lay the finger on someone without evidence. On the other hand this lot would pin it on anyone without evidence as they have already proved to be quite adept liars and manipulators.

[Shurup]

It's sure not about Jap cameraman death or whether they wanted to make it right, it's all about politics.

[animatic]

The direction the bullet came from is irrelevant unless you actually see where the shot is being fired from, point source.

Of course the direction it came from is relevant. But then those who refuse to accept that perhaps the authorities at the time were responsible want a slow motion video of the shooter and the bullet coming out of his gun which is then kept in focus as it travels to it's target. Anything less means it must have been a black shirt trying to incriminate the army of excessive force which of course it would never contemplate.

The direction the bullet came from may be relevant, but can only have significance when you know all around the scene. Where was the victim, facing what/who, retracing the trajectory of the bullet where did it seem to come from, etc., etc.

The Reuters report allegedly indicates a clear possibility the victim was shot by army personel. The value of an 'on purpose' suggestion depends on what you want to believe

I think the truth is far more important than what you want to believe, whichever way it goes. It appears as though the previous government have done all they can to prevent this from being discovered - what have they got to hide if they are in the right? If they are so convinced that the red/black shirts are responsible and that the army are not, they must have evidence to prove it - why has it then taken 18 months to get to this stage?

The difference may well be that the previous democratic government would not lay the finger on someone without evidence. On the other hand this lot would pin it on anyone without evidence as they have already proved to be quite adept liars and manipulators.

A fair point indeed.

Edited December 14, 2011 by animatic

[anon467367354]

basically who would not want the atrocities documented? The army held off way too long and let it get far too out of hand IMO. The men in black were not working for the government, known "hitmen" were reported coming to Bangkok ( which is weird, known assassins and knowing of their locations being allowed to participate in the terrorizing of Bangkok). Who would have benefited more by not having the international press at the scene of the crimes? Years later the finger pointing starts for purposes of revenge, another farce .

[rixalex]

14 months under Dem Government = no advance in investigation. 4 months under this gov and all the 2000 pages have been forwarded to consider a prosecution. Really which party has been hiding the evidence. Interesting times ahead.

Just because it is under this government that the investigation is being forwarded, doesn't necessarily mean that this government was responsible for all the work involved. If you know anything about Thailand, you know that all investigations and court cases proceed at a snail's pace. It is therefore quite conceivable that in the 14 months under the Dems, the investigation was completed to something in the region of 75%, and the incoming government has completed the remaining 25%. But obviously you know otherwise...

[phiphidon]

I think the truth is far more important than what you want to believe, whichever way it goes. It appears as though the previous government have done all they can to prevent this from being discovered - what have they got to hide if they are in the right? If they are so convinced that the red/black shirts are responsible and that the army are not, they must have evidence to prove it - why has it then taken 18 months to get to this stage?

The difference may well be that the previous democratic government would not lay the finger on someone without evidence. On the other hand this lot would pin it on anyone without evidence as they have already proved to be quite adept liars and manipulators.

A fair point indeed.

"On the other hand this lot would pin it on anyone without evidence" (ianf)

Why is this a "fair point"? It's based on biased supposition, how is that "fair"?

[metisdead]

A post containing an ethnic slur has been removed.