HRW calls govt to indict soilders torturing imam to death

 Narathiwat court ruled on December 25 last year after an inquest that Imam Yapa Kaseng, 56 was tortured and killed by soldiers while being interrogated on March 20-21, 2008 in a Narathiwat military camp.

 Prosecuting the soldiers will be a test of the administration of Thailand's new prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has vowed to bring justice to the deep south, Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

 "The court gave a brave and unprecedented verdict in the inquest, putting its finger on torture and other abuses committed by Thai security forces," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

 The inquest determined that the cause of Imam Yapa's death was blunt-force trauma, including rib fractures from the front, side, and back that punctured his lungs.

Bruises and wounds were found all over his body, including his eyes, forehead, and lips. Imam Yapa also had long abrasion marks on his back, indicating he may have been dragged on his ankles across a hard and rough surface.

"This is not an isolated case of rogue soldiers, but part of a broad pattern. Now it is Prime Minister Abhisit's turn to show political courage and ensure the prosecution of the soldiers and officers who ordered and carried out the killing."

A policy statement Prime Minister Abhisit delivered to Parliament on December 30 stressed that justice will be integral to resolution of the conflict in the southern border provinces, which has claimed more than 3,500 lives since January 2004.