DSI chief, 3 others face lawsuits

Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and former deputy premier Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday filed a lawsuit against the chief and three other officials of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Abhisit, the Democrat Party leader, and Suthep assigned lawyer Banthit Siriphan to file a lawsuit against DSI chief Tarit Pengdit and three other DSI officials with the Criminal Court relating to the department's murder charges against the two senior Democrats. The three officials are Pol Lt-Colonel Wannapong Kacharak, Pol Major Yutthana Praedam and Pol Captain Piya Raksakul.

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

The DSI chief and officials have charged Abhisit and Suthep with collaborating to have others commit murder with foreseen results. The lawsuit states that Tarit and the three officials laid the charges despite the fact that Abhisit and Suthep were simply implementing the emergency decree to restore peace.

The lawsuit says Tarit and the DSI officials raised the charges against Abhisit and Suthep despite realising that the red-shirt demonstrations were unlawful and were acts of terrorism.

The court scheduled April 29 for a hearing to decide whether to proceed with the lawsuit or not.