Allegations to pass on if they have grounds: DSI boss
Inquiries by the Department of Special Investigation into allegations surrounding Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban's involvement in the April 10 bloodshed will be further processed by the National AntiCorruption Commission if the allegations are found to have any grounds, directorgeneral Tharit Pengdit said yesterday.
The DSI will need another two weeks to gather evidence and compile information, including interviewing relatives of redshirt demonstrators killed in the violent protest, before ruling whether the allegations are indictable.
"Deputy Premier Suthep is not a criminal suspect until the DSI completes its finding in the coming weeks," Tharit said.
The DSI has now taken over more than 100 criminal cases relating to the redshirt protest from police, including many cases against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
"Since both of them are holders of political posts, the NACC has jurisdiction to take over the cases from the DSI once allegations against them are ruled indictable," Tharit said.
The NACC initiated its own investigation into allegations against former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat over his role in the October 7, 2008 violence, because members of the People's Alliance for Democracy lodged a petition directly with the NACC.
"But the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship [organiser of the redshirt protest] submitted its petition to the DSI in this case," he said.
The Democrat Party, of which both Abhisit and Suthep are members, called on redshirt leaders to turn themselves in to the DSI to keep their own selfimposed promises after Suthep did so.
"Suthep's surrender to the DSI was in compliance with the law over jurisdictional matters, as well as a commitment to society," said deputy party spokesman Atthawit Suwanphakdee.
"Claims that DSI directorgeneral Tharit is a member of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) are inexcusable. The redshirt leaders should show responsibility for their own words," he said.