Abhisit, Suthep file lawsuit against DSI chief and officials

Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and former deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the chief of the Department of Special Investigation and three other officials

Abhisit, the Democrat leader, and Suthep assigned lawyer Banthit Siriphan to file the lawsuit against DSI chief Tarit Pengdit and three other DSI officials with the Criminal Court in relation to the DSI bringing murder charges against the two senior Democrats.

The three other DSI officials are Pol Lt Col Wannapong Kacharak, Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam and Pol Captain Piya Raksakul.

The lawsuit alleges that Tarit and the three DSI investigators have abused their authority to persecute the two Democrats in violation of Articles 83, 90, 157 and 200 of the Penal Code.

The lawsuit states that DSI chief and officials brought charges against Abhisit and Suthep for collaborating to have others commit murders with foreseen results, even though the two were simply implementing the emergency decree to restore peace and order and to prevent the unlawful demonstrations of the red shirts from affecting the national economy and stability.

The lawsuit also states that Tarit and the DSI officials realised that the redshirt demonstrations were unlawful and were acts of terrorism but they still brought the charges against Abhisit and Suthep.

The court has scheduled April 29 for deliberating whether to proceed with the lawsuit or not.