DSI reviews red shirt lese majeste case
Some accused likely to escape charges
The Department of Special Investigation has ordered a review of evidence to decide if it will pursue lese majeste charges against 19 red shirt leaders.
DSI deputy chief Pol Col Prawes Moonpramuk, the newly appointed chief investigator in the lese majeste cases, said yesterday the review is being made to ensure the DSI has solid evidence if and when it decides to charge the red shirt leaders with lese majeste.
He said investigators have found new evidence, received more detailed statements from suspects and examined their speeches which were alleged to have offended the monarchy.
"We have to be thorough. We have to look into their intent and behaviour to see what they really wanted to communicate to ensure fairness. The charge is serious," he said.
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The 19 red shirt leaders are accused of insulting the monarchy during a rally marking the first anniversary of the April 10, 2010, clashes between red shirt protesters and soldiers on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue.
Among them are two Pheu Thai Party list MPs, Jatuporn Prompan and Payap Panket, and former MP of the now-dissolved People Power Party for Roi Et, Nisit Sinthuprai.
Pol Col Prawes said the DSI has sent the speeches to a number of agencies for their opinions but most have not returned any comments.
However, a team of special DSI consultants initially found the speeches were directed at the then government rather than the monarchy.
DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said the investigating team on the case was recently changed under orders from Justice Minister Pracha Promnok after the accused filed a petition requesting the change.
Mr Tharit said the red shirts had a right to ask for a change if they felt they were not receiving justice.
Pol Col Prawes insisted the change in investigators was not done to favour any particular group.
He said not all of the accused would be charged with lese majeste. It depended on the evidence.
Some of the accused claimed they were not there when the alleged offences took place while others said they did nothing except watch, he said.
He added the DSI would do its best to prevent the monarchy being used as a political tool.
The lese majeste cases against the red shirts were under way for months without any of them being formally charged after the DSI took over the investigation from the police.
Lawyers for the red shirt leaders requested postponement of indictments twice, saying some of their clients had to take part in election campaigning, and later they cited a need for more time to gather evidence.
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