DSI charge nine with terrorism

NO BAIL FOR WEAPONS CACHE SUSPECTS

>> Nine suspects arrested in connection with an arms haul in Pathum Thani and believed to be part of the network of hardcore red-shirt leader Wuthipong Kochathamkun, alias Kotee, have been charged with terrorism among other offences.

The charge was brought against them by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), which accuses the group of possessing war weapons, explosives and prohibited items.

The DSI has taken over the investigation from police after one of the seized weapons was found to be an M16 rifle reported stolen from authorities during the 2010 political unrest.

The agency is in charge of cases related to the violence and political demonstrations of 2010 against the government of Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The Criminal Court yesterday granted the DSI’s request to detain the nine suspects led by Theerachai Utarawichian, 55, until April 5 for further questioning and as evidence is examined.

The eight others were identified as Thanachot Wongjanchompoo, 57, Boonsong Kotpradit, 54, Prathuang On-lamun, 58, Palita Ruangsuwan, 62, Wanchaichana Krutchaiyan, 56, Suriyasak Chatpitakkul, 49, Udomchai Nopsawas, 60, and Aem-on Watkaew, 44.

In its request to further detain the suspects, the DSI told the court that the evidence seized from the raids suggests the suspects have affiliations with Mr Wuthipong, with the weapons linked to the 2010 political violence.

The DSI refused bail requests on the grounds that the suspects had amassed weapons and had used violence against state officials.

The court said the suspects faced serious charges punishable by death. They also posed security threats to the public.

The male suspects were taken to Bangkok Remand Prison and the women escorted to Central Woman Correctional Institution.

Pol Maj Yuthana Praedam, a DSI official, said the suspects were handed over from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) on Friday evening and questioned by the DSI.

He said the questioning was attended by the suspects’ lawyers, and they all denied the charges and declined to give statements to the DSI during the investigation.

Pol Maj Yuthana said the DSI has taken over the case from the CSD because one of the confiscated weapons — an M16 rifle — was found to be the one that was reported stolen by red-shirt demonstrators.

He said the rifle is crucial evidence that could prove the suspects’ criminal links to Mr Wuthipong.

Based on the police investigation, Mr Theerachai implicated Mr Wuthipong in the weapons haul, saying the hardcore redshirt leader bought the items with donated money and used them during clashes with the now-defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) demonstrators.

According to Mr Theerachai, the weapons had been used twice.

The first was in an incident at the National Memorial in Pathum Thani and the other at Laksi intersection in Bangkok, where red-shirt supporters clashed with rival PDRC demonstrators on Feb 1, 2014, a day before the election.

The suspect reportedly told police that he had met Mr Wuthipong three times in Laos where had they discussed ways to “fight” the government.

Mr Theerachai claimed Mr Wuthipong also mentioned a former minister in the past government.

A DSI source said one of the suspects told the investigators that the weapons belong to him but evidence suggests the involvement of other suspects, those who were arrested.

However, the source said that some of the suspects might not be involved in the weapons cache, noting that the charges against them would be dropped if there is no further evidence to substantiate the charges.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said he has ordered DSI director-general Paisit Wongmuang to handle this case in a transparent and straightforward manner.

Mr Suwaphan said the DSI is gathering further evidence.