THAILAND: "Red shirt" protesters hand over evidence of troops' role in civilian deaths to Japanese embassy

Record ID: 643979

  • Title: THAILAND: "Red shirt" protesters hand over evidence of troops' role in civilian deaths to Japanese embassy
  • Date: 14th December 2010
  • Summary: PLACARD SHOWING PICTURE OF MURAMOTO
  • Embargoed: 29th December 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand, Thailand
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA1ZNCSQ41VMMMU85HS9F62GLRP
  • Story Text: Almost one hundred "red shirt" protestors rallied in Bangkok on Monday (December 13) to hand in what they said was evidence of troop violence in the bloody protests of April and May.
    They carried photographs of those killed including Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto, who was shot on April 10 while covering the protests in Bangkok.
    They also observed a minute of silence and placed roses and paper birds in front of Muramoto's photograph before handing in their evidence to Japanese embassy officials.
    "The evidence includes a VCD of still photos, video and witnesses. We will follow up with the embassy again. We don't expect to rely on the DSI (Department of Spcial Investigations) and government because they are on the opposing side and the cases have been delayed," said "red shirt" leader, Somyos Prueksakasemsuk.
    Ninety-one people were killed and at least 1,800 were wounded during the political unrest in April and May.
    Leaked state documents revealed that the Thai military played a larger role in the killing of civilians than officials have acknowledged.
    The two Department of Special Investigations reports contained evidence of the killing of six civilians at a Thai temple on May 19 and of 42-year-old Muramoto on April 10.
    However, the Director-General of the DSI, Tharit Pengdith denied the authenticity of the leaked reports.
    "I confirm, I confirm that the information is inauthentic and I have checked with our staff and also the Royal Thai Police who believes that there is no leaked information," said Tharit.
    On Friday, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva did not deny the reports' authenticity, but said investigations were still incomplete and that they would try to speed up the process.
    The results of the police investigation will be sent to the DSI and government prosecutors.
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