Deputy PM Suthep bows to red-shirt demand, will surrender to the DSI this morning over April 10 clashes; Abhisit says he'll do the same when his immunity expires at the end of the parliamentary session late this month
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban will turn himself in to the Department of Special Investigation today, government spokesman Panitan Wattana-yagorn said yesterday.
The move is a prerequisite set by the red shirts for ending their marathon protest in Bangkok's Rajprasong area.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will do the same when his immunity expires at the end of the present session of Parliament late this month, he said.
Abhisit and Suthep will turn themselves in to take responsibility for accusations made by relatives of some of victims killed during the April 10 clash between security officials and protesters.
The red shirts announced their own version of a road map for national reconciliation while accepting Prime Minister Abhisit's plan to call an early poll on November 14.
DEMANDING JUSTICE
The protesters demand justice for civilians killed in the April 10 bloodshed by bringing all those responsible to justice, red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua said.
"We agree to end the protest after Suthep turns himself in to authorities to take responsibility for the death of 20 civilians in the clash," he said.
The red-shirt leaders said they were also prepared to surrender themselves to police.
"Once Suthep actually turns himself in, we will end the protest and do like him," Natthawut said.
Suthep, as head of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), instructed security officials to remove protesters from the Phan Fah Bridge. The operation exploded into violence, with protesters resisting and mysterious gunmen shooting at officials and firing grenades.
The protesters accuse the authorities of using live bullets with the intention of killing, while the government alleges the red-shirt leaders committed terrorist acts.
DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit said Suthep would report to his agency today, but Natthawut |is demanding the deputy prime |minister turn himself in to the |Crime Suppression Bureau (CSB) instead.
Natthawut claimed there was a conflict of interest with the DSI, and that it might be lenient towards Suthep, as Tharit is a member of the CRES. However, government spokesman Panitan said Suthep must report to the DSI, because |relatives of the dead protesters |filed complaints with it and not |the Crime Suppression Bureau.
Natthawut argued that the DSI had not begun the legal process yet or issued a warrant summoning Suthep in connection with the incident. The CSB, which the protesters regard as a neutral agency, should issue a warrant for Suthep and begin the judicial process, in accordance with the law.
"Please follow this simple legal procedure and do not politicise the issue or make it more complicated," he said.
The protesters also want Prime Minister Abhisit to turn himself in, but as a Member of Parliament he has immunity while it remains in session.
Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan is an MP and will also not turn himself in until his immunity ends late this month.
He said he would go see the police together with Abhisit.
The protesters expect to receive the same treatment as Abhisit and Suthep, Jatuporn said. If police grant bail for both government officials, the red leaders deserve the same.
The red shirts were also demanding the government return their mouthpiece People Channel Television (PTV) network to the air after it was unplugged early last month, Natthawut said.
One of the five points in Abhisit's road map is media reform. The red shirts have agreed to join the scheme but demand the same treatment as rival ASTV, the main mouthpiece for the rival yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
"It's good to have an independent body that takes care of media content, in order to prevent provocations and champion reconciliation," Natthawut said. "PTV is prepared to follow the body's instructions if ASTV does."
PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said it seemed the government and the red shirts made a deal for the sake of appearances but that it would not solve the country's real problems.
"It looks like the happy-ending scene of a soap opera," he said.
Neither the DSI nor the police should grant bail for any red-shirt leaders accused of committing serious crimes, Suriyasai said.