Thursday 8 December 2011

Suthep won't seek amnesty in deaths case Will fight on rather than be used as 'tool'

Former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban has vowed not to negotiate for amnesty if he is charged in connection with the red shirt protests.

Mr Suthep said he would report to police today and give a statement about the Democrat-led government's handling of red shirt protests last year.

Mr Suthep said he would not allow himself to be used as a political tool amid speculation about attempts to turn him and former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva into suspects to negotiate for an amnesty law.

Some observers believe that if the pair are charged in relation to the violence, they may become adherents of an amnesty law which the government is thought to be pursuing separately to obtain an amnesty for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from an abuse of authority conviction.

"I won't fall for it [an amnesty attempt]. I'm not afraid to speak the truth. I believe the public is aware of the truth and what happened in 2010 and 2009," he said.

He would fight against any charges laid against him and would not flee overseas.

The former deputy prime minister was in charge of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) set up to quell the protests that resulted in 92 deaths.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), which is investigating 16 of the deaths, has summoned Mr Suthep and Mr Abhisit for questioning.

Mr Suthep said he is not intimidated by the prospect of being charged. He has complete confidence in the judicial system and respect for those who do their jobs honestly.

He shrugged off Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung's claim that the Pheu Thai government had received a Reuters investigation report into the political violence.

"I never take what Mr Chalerm says seriously. And I don't think most people will take it seriously either," he said.

He also lashed out at Mr Chalerm's comments that no "men in black" were involved in the political violence, saying the deputy premier was trying to distort the facts.

Mr Suthep said national reconciliation remains a distant hope as long as deposed prime minister Thaksin stills pulls the strings behind the Pheu Thai Party.

Mr Suthep said Thaksin wants his power and assets back and his methods are against the rule of law.

Mr Chalerm said the investigation into the 16 deaths is being conducted in a straightforward manner.

Mr Suthep and Mr Abhisit would be questioned based on statements by army officers who claimed they were following CRES instructions.

"There is no ill intent. Police want to question them because the officers insisted they followed CRES orders which came under their responsibility," he said.

City police commissioner Pol Lt Gen Winai Thongsong confirmed yesterday Mr Suthep would report to police for questioning today at the MPB headquarters.

He said Mr Suthep would be questioned as a witness, not a suspect.

Asked about the Reuters probe, he said police have received the report which is pending translation.

He added Mr Abhisit was ready to meet police investigators tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Mr Chalerm said police have identified the shooter in the murder of Maj Gen Khattiya Sawatdiphol.

The army specialist was shot and seriously wounded while giving an interview during the red shirt protest on May 13 last year. He died days later.

Mr Chalerm said that the shooter is a senior police officer, but noted there was not enough evidence to proceed.

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