NACC mulls Yingluck action in red-shirt compo scheme

Anti-graft commissioners are expected to decide whether to press charges against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra for her involvement in a costly compensation scheme for political protest victims by the end of this month.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is wrapping up its probe into complaints about restitution payments given to the families of protesters who died during political unrest from 2005 to May 2010, said NACC president Panthep Klanarongran.

The Democrat Party, which complained about the scheme, said the Yingluck government had a conflict of interest in approving payments, as many of the recipients backed the red shirts which supported her government. Families of protesters who were killed received up to 7.5 million baht each, which critics said was too much.

Ms Yingluck and her cabinet authorised the distribution of 577 million baht to the families of 524 victims, mostly red-shirt protesters. Commissioners will rule whether the administration abused its authority and unlawfully granted costly benefits, Mr Panthep said.

Anti-graft commissioner Vicha Mahakun, who heads the sub-panel, said some state officials acted as witnesses and provided contradictory testimonies. His team is probing the inconsistencies.

Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) last month asked the government to provide benefits for the deaths and injuries suffered by its supporters while protesting against the Yingluck government in 2013 and early 2014. The group said PDRC protesters were targeted by shootings and grenade attacks, leading to 28 deaths and more than 800 injuries.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he had assigned a committee to investigate. “I cannot randomly pick a number,” he said, explaining the need for compensation guidelines.