Thai court dismisses murder charges against former PM Abhisit

[webfact]

Thai court dismisses murder charges against former PM Abhisit

BANGKOK, August 28, 2014 (AFP) - A Thai court on Thursday dismissed charges of murder and abuse of power against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his ex-deputy over a bloody crackdown on opposition protests in 2010.

Scores of demonstrators died under Abhisit's establishment-backed government in 2010 in street clashes between mostly unarmed "Red Shirt" demonstrators and security forces firing live rounds in Bangkok.

A criminal court in the capital ruled that it did not have jurisdiction to hear the case because Abhisit and his then-deputy Suthep Thaugsuban were holders of public office at the time and acting under an emergency decree.

It said the only court with the authority to consider the allegations was the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.

"So the criminal court decided today to dismiss the two charges," a judge said.

The surprise ruling comes three months after the military seized power from Abhisit's political rivals in a bloodless coup.

Prosecutors had accused Abhisit and Suthep of issuing orders that resulted in murder and attempted murder by the security forces.

Both suspects denied the charges.

Suthep, who went on to lead months of street protests against Abhisit's successor Yingluck Shinawatra, appeared in court sporting a shaven head and the orange robes of a Buddhist monk after entering the clergy.

The Red Shirts are mostly supporters of billionaire tycoon turned premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a previous coup in 2006 and lives in self-exile to avoid prison for a corruption conviction.

His younger sister Yingluck was removed from office in a controversial court ruling in May this year, shortly before the military seized power.

Thailand's long-running political conflict broadly pits a Bangkok-based middle class and royalist elite, backed by parts of the military and judiciary, against rural and working-class voters loyal to Thaksin.

In the 2010 protests, the Red Shirts were demanding snap elections, saying Abhisit's government took office undemocratically in 2008 through a parliamentary vote after a court stripped Thaksin's allies of power.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators occupied parts of central Bangkok for weeks before the army ended the standoff.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-08-28

[NeverSure]

No comment.

Edited August 28, 2014 by NeverSure

[smutcakes]

Probably the correct decision given the circumstances at the time, however could the court not have mentioned it had no jurisdiction at a slightly earlier time in proceedings?

[animatic]

The logical outcome of the Thaksin/Tharit farce prosecution.

Everyone not utterly amoral, including Abisit and Suthep,

are without a doubt sad at the deaths of anyone involved, of any shirt color.

But the prosecution was clearly a bargaining chip for Thaksin to pressure

his way back into the country scot free using his puppet government

and DSI lapdog to do it.

One more sad episode ended from this lurid tale of

power-mad, political-revenge driven misanthropy.

Edited August 28, 2014 by animatic

[SureNDT]

The Thai elite have been killing their own people for years and getting away with it, why on Earth did folks think it was going to be any different this time around?

There has to be some sort of accountability from politicians and military for the deaths, regardless of the circumstances at the time. In any civilised society this is a bare minimum. In ruling they have no jurisdiction they are preventing the truth from being known.

No doubt they will attempt to yet again foist this objectionable upper class twit who's father supported the odious dictator Suchinda upon the poor Thai populace. It runs in the Vejjajiva family.

Dark days ahead indeed as we have seen the rural Thais still haven't forgotten Democrat bitter medicine policies from the late 90's, and the cycle looks to continually repeat itself in the future, as they will never accept a government they haven't chosen, hence the attempts to cheat the system by the junta.

Edited August 28, 2014 by SureNDT

[Nickymaster]

The Thai elite have been killing their own people for years and getting away with it, why on Earth did folks think it was going to be any different this time around?

There has to be some sort of accountability from politicians and military for the deaths, regardless of the circumstances at the time. In any civilised society this is a bare minimum. In ruling they have no jurisdiction they are preventing the truth from being known.

No doubt they will attempt to yet again foist this objectionable upper class twit who's father supported the odious dictator Suchinda upon the poor Thai populace. It runs in the Vejjajiva family.

Dark days ahead indeed as we have seen the rural Thais still haven't forgotten Democrat bitter medicine policies from the late 90's, and the cycle looks to continually repeat itself in the future, as they will never accept a government they haven't chosen, hence the attempts to cheat the system by the junta.

In 2010 Thaksin told his red shirts to fight the army and that he was very near to Thailand and would come back to help them if the army would open fire on them. Remember those famous words?

Red shirt leader Jatuporn, natthawut etc have also told their supporters numerous times to fight the army. Even told them to burn down the city.

You don't mention them in your propaganda piece. Why not?

[96tehtarp]

The dismissal seems a lot like an amnesty to me.

[tezzainoz]

The Thai elite have been killing their own people for years and getting away with it, why on Earth did folks think it was going to be any different this time around?

There has to be some sort of accountability from politicians and military for the deaths, regardless of the circumstances at the time. In any civilised society this is a bare minimum. In ruling they have no jurisdiction they are preventing the truth from being known.

No doubt they will attempt to yet again foist this objectionable upper class twit who's father supported the odious dictator Suchinda upon the poor Thai populace. It runs in the Vejjajiva family.

Dark days ahead indeed as we have seen the rural Thais still haven't forgotten Democrat bitter medicine policies from the late 90's, and the cycle looks to continually repeat itself in the future, as they will never accept a government they haven't chosen, hence the attempts to cheat the system by the junta.

seems to bring back many old sayings

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones

If you want to play in the road do not complain if you get hit

yes some one has to take responsibility

but as many thais will tell you if Farlang where not there at the time it would not have happened

so is it not true if The Red shirts had not taken over the streets there would have been no deaths

Guess another saying is true

If you make your bed

you have to lie in it

My 5 bahts worth

[fab4]

It said the only court with the authority to consider the allegations was the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.

Presumably the only organisation with the power to bring a case against them to the designated "proper" court would be the NACC. One would have thought that this decision could have been made back in December 2013, when the Court accepted to hear the case. Of course that was pre-coup, Oh, well.

Edited August 28, 2014 by fab4

[jaidam]

Just one of Abhisit's legal woes gone. He will still have to answer for his Maldivian family holiday after Yingluck replaced him as PM that such a brouhaha was made of at the time, and of course the potentially dodgy paperwork from his scouting days. Those were the 2 most serious allegations made against the former PM were they not? Did I not read on this very forum that politicians are "all the same"?

[Nickymaster]

It said the only court with the authority to consider the allegations was the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.

Presumably the only organisation with the power to bring a case against them to the designated "proper" court would be the NACC. Oh, well.

The court is right. They were politicians at the time. NACC is the place to go. The DSI charging them with premeditated murder wasn't possible in the first place. As others have correctly pointed out, it was done to bring Thaksin back. Well bad luck for Takki and his "team" I guess.

[rubl]

It said the only court with the authority to consider the allegations was the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.

Presumably the only organisation with the power to bring a case against them to the designated "proper" court would be the NACC. Oh, well.

Well, that seems to 'kill' the 'premeditated murder as private persons' bit. Maybe the outcome of the Criminal Court checking with the NACC a few months ago?

Wasn't the NACC still busy with that case from a 'political office holder' point of view?

So, will the NACC get of its dime now? Will they come with either dropping a possible case or forwarding to the SCCDHPP with recommendations?

[Nickymaster]

It said the only court with the authority to consider the allegations was the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.

Presumably the only organisation with the power to bring a case against them to the designated "proper" court would be the NACC. One would have thought that this decision could have been made back in December 2013, when the Court accepted to hear the case. Of course that was pre-coup, Oh, well.

I reply again because you have modified your post. Pre-coup or not, It's irrelevant. The criminal court is not the place to go. Fact is that at the time the DSI and Takki thought they could control the criminal court. The only thing they had to do is lead AV and Suthep to there. Therefor the phony premeditated murder charges. You know that Fab4!!

Edited August 28, 2014 by Nickymaster

[Cuchulainn]

A good, true and just verdict.

[fab4]

The Thai elite have been killing their own people for years and getting away with it, why on Earth did folks think it was going to be any different this time around?

There has to be some sort of accountability from politicians and military for the deaths, regardless of the circumstances at the time. In any civilised society this is a bare minimum. In ruling they have no jurisdiction they are preventing the truth from being known.

No doubt they will attempt to yet again foist this objectionable upper class twit who's father supported the odious dictator Suchinda upon the poor Thai populace. It runs in the Vejjajiva family.

Dark days ahead indeed as we have seen the rural Thais still haven't forgotten Democrat bitter medicine policies from the late 90's, and the cycle looks to continually repeat itself in the future, as they will never accept a government they haven't chosen, hence the attempts to cheat the system by the junta.

seems to bring back many old sayings

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones

If you want to play in the road do not complain if you get hit

yes some one has to take responsibility

but as many thais will tell you if Farlang where not there at the time it would not have happened

so is it not true if The Red shirts had not taken over the streets there would have been no deaths

Guess another saying is true

If you make your bed

you have to lie in it

My 5 bahts worth

Whilst you're on the roll with fatuous comments why not add this one; suthep talking in a lecture titled “Democrat Ideology” at a seminar named “The new generation, the Thai future”

We had no intentions to kill our people, we have never ordered the police and the army to use force during the dispersal of the [red shirt] protest but those [who got] killed ran into [the bullets]

http://asiancorrespondent.com/49822/thai-deputy-pm-protesters-died-because-they-ran-into-bullets/

Despite lying through his teeth "we have never ordered the police and the army to use force during the dispersal of the [red shirt] protest" ? this "person" (I'm trying to be polite) will more than likely walk away from any responsibility. Obviously one of the "right" people that the future of Thailand is currently being "reformed" for.

[TVGerry]

The charge was political anyway by the Shin government. Why should Abhisit have been charged with murder when he was doing his duty as PM to disperse the crowds. He didn't plot to kill them.

[rubl]

Of course the murder charge was dismissed. All criminal charges against these totalitarian/fascist criminals will be dismissed. How soon for the International Court of Justice to lay charges of crimes against humanity against these murderers. Absolutely sickening what is going on in Thailand!

Look what jumped out of the box, someone not so clever it would seem.

You probably forgot that on the 31st of January 2011 the legal representatives of the UDD requested the ICC (aka International Criminal Court) to look into possible crimes against humanity. Dr. weng as Pheu Thai MP even made suggestions to temporarily grant the ICC the right to look into 'all' he thought they might need.

Till now no reaction as the ICC doesn't comment on cases in the very early stages. For a while we had Robert A. report once in a while on "progress" and "under consideration", but it has been quiet for a while now.

So, all this leaves us with 'innocent, charges dismissed'. You may now jump back into the box you come from.

(PS according to Bernard Woolley "'"Under consideration" means we've lost the file. "Under active consideration" means we're trying to find it!""

Edited August 28, 2014 by rubl

[rubl]

Interesting to see all reactions here. Must be only the umthpteeth time we had a rehash of events and all the insinuations, half-truths and near lies to go with it.

Mind you, the ruling of the criminal court surely must be a relief to Ms. Yingluck.

[Bluespunk]

"Abhisit's establishment-backed government in 2010 in street clashes between mostly unarmed "Red Shirt" demonstrators and security forces firing live rounds in Bangkok."

This AFP is getting tiresome.

Edited August 28, 2014 by Bluespunk

[Robby nz]

Shame really for they need a chance to clear their names but no matter whether they get that chance in the political office holders court or not there will always be those (as we have seen already) who will never recognize others had any part to play in the deaths and injuries.

Roll on the trials of the red leaders where the truth will be revealed.

[siampolee]

Now this decision must bode well for the others of a different political persuasions who were possibly likely to be charged with serious crimes.

In reality we are all aware the charges filed against Abhisit and Suthep were spiteful and malicious and nothing more than an vengeful individual who lived abroad instructing his clones and puppets to do his will..

[Bluespunk]

"The Red Shirts are mostly supporters of billionaire tycoon turned premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a previous coup in 2006 and lives in self-exile to avoid prison for a corruption conviction."

No he wasn't toppled. He is not in exile, but is a criminal fleeing justice.

Edited August 28, 2014 by Bluespunk

[Crushdepth]

Of course the murder charge was dismissed. All criminal charges against these totalitarian/fascist criminals will be dismissed. How soon for the International Court of Justice to lay charges of crimes against humanity against these murderers. Absolutely sickening what is going on in Thailand!

If you look up the definition of murder you might come to understand why a murder charge against Abhisit was ridiculous.

If they'd ginned up some charge based on recklessness, negligence or similar perhaps there would be some chance of holding him personally responsible for the deaths. "Murder" however was cheap political theatrics for the benefit of numpties, and pressure to get him to support the amnesty bill.

What's going on in Thailand now is much better than what we had pre-coup. No political protests, bombs or violence. And a few things cleaned up too.

[siampolee]

fab4 post # 16

Despite lying through his teeth "we have never ordered the police and the army to use force during the dispersal of the [red shirt] protest" ?this "person" (I'm trying to be polite) will more than likely walk away from any responsibility. Obviously one of the "right" people that the future of Thailand is currently being "reformed" for.

Strange how anyone you and your Messiah Shinwatra disagree with is always ''Lying through their teeth.''

Do please get a new scriptwriter and tell your Messiah Shinwatra to put his teeth back in as even with them out we all knew he was lying.

[marcusd]

The Thai elite have been killing their own people for years and getting away with it, why on Earth did folks think it was going to be any different this time around?

There has to be some sort of accountability from politicians and military for the deaths, regardless of the circumstances at the time. In any civilised society this is a bare minimum. In ruling they have no jurisdiction they are preventing the truth from being known.

No doubt they will attempt to yet again foist this objectionable upper class twit who's father supported the odious dictator Suchinda upon the poor Thai populace. It runs in the Vejjajiva family.

Dark days ahead indeed as we have seen the rural Thais still haven't forgotten Democrat bitter medicine policies from the late 90's, and the cycle looks to continually repeat itself in the future, as they will never accept a government they haven't chosen, hence the attempts to cheat the system by the junta.

I'd you don't like it you can always leave because it appears no one cares what you say

[dominique355]

Scores of demonstrators died under Abhisit's establishment-backed government in 2010 in street clashes between mostly unarmed "Red Shirt" demonstrators and security forces firing live rounds in Bangkok.

What demonstrations are they talking about? Certainly not the one at Rajaprasong where heavily armed Red Shirts occupied the city for two months, shot RPG at people, burned down Central World and other buildings, where black snipers shot into the public, etc.

Must have been another demonstration or are they delusional?

[otherstuff1957]

Probably the correct decision given the circumstances at the time, however could the court not have mentioned it had no jurisdiction at a slightly earlier time in proceedings?

Abhisit and Suthep were charged as individuals, not as PM and deputy PM. The obvious reason for this is that finding a PM guilty of murder while doing his official duties could lead to unpleasant consequences for a former PM who ordered the Police to shoot-to-kill during the war on drugs.

Thaksin knew this and probably didn't expect any different verdict. The charges were brought against them just for show.

[Nickymaster]

"Abhisit's establishment-backed government in 2010 in street clashes between mostly unarmed "Red Shirt" demonstrators and security forces firing live rounds in Bangkok."

This AFP is getting tiresome.

They are right. Most red-shirts were unarmed. let's say 90% was unarmed out of 20,000 or so that were on the streets in 2010..... And it is normal for security forces to use their guns when threatened. That is one of the reasons the cop that stopped me this morning was carrying a gun. I guess.

[gemini81]

"Abhisit's establishment-backed government in 2010 in street clashes between mostly unarmed "Red Shirt" demonstrators and security forces firing live rounds in Bangkok."

This AFP is getting tiresome.

They are right. Most red-shirts were unarmed. let's say 90% was unarmed out of 20,000 or so that were on the streets in 2010..... And it is normal for security forces to use their guns when threatened. That is one of the reasons the cop that stopped me this morning was carrying a gun. I guess.

So by your estimates, 10% of a mob is armed! Thats a frickin' lot!

[fab4]

It said the only court with the authority to consider the allegations was the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.

Presumably the only organisation with the power to bring a case against them to the designated "proper" court would be the NACC. Oh, well.

The court is right. They were politicians at the time. NACC is the place to go. The DSI charging them with premeditated murder wasn't possible in the first place. As others have correctly pointed out, it was done to bring Thaksin back. Well bad luck for Takki and his "team" I guess.

The court may well be right in that their court was not the correct place to hear the case, but if it was part of a conspiracy to "bring Thaksin back", the Criminal Court could surely have nipped that in the bud by saying at the original hearing what they have now said i.e this court can not deal with this case. Instead, more court dates were scheduled until this latest one where the case is dismissed. I'm sure the alleged "amnesty" conspiracy is something for you to cling onto in the belief that abhisit and suthep are not guilty but I'm afraid I suspect someone has had a word in their ear.