PAD petitions for Somchai ruling appeal

PAD petitions for Somchai ruling appeal

Veera Somkwamkid (left) hands the petition requesting an appeal to Thammanoon Ruangdit, deputy secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. (Screen shot via ThaiPBS)
Veera Somkwamkid (left) hands the petition requesting an appeal to Thammanoon Ruangdit, deputy secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. (Screen shot via ThaiPBS)

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) petitioned the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Monday to appeal against the Supreme Court's ruling last week which acquitted former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and three others for their roles in the 2008 deadly crackdown on yellow-shirt protesters.

The petition was lodged by the PAD's representatives, Veera Somkwamkid and Lt Samdin Lertbutr, as well as people affected by the crackdown.

Mr Veera said the petition of more than 10 pages and other related evidence should be enough for the NACC to decide to appeal the ruling. A PAD working panel will seek other evidence while the NACC proceeds with the case, he said.

If the NACC decides not to appeal, the PAD will try every legal channel to deal with the matter, he said, calling on the regime not to worry about the PAD's move to petition the NACC.

"As soon as the central and individual rulings of the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions come out, we will examine the details of them and forward additional proposals to the NACC which can use them in the appeal," said Mr Veera.

Attachments with the petition Monday included evidence, photos, witness accounts, the Constitutional Court's ruling, the Senate report on the use of tear gas in the incident as well as the ruling by the Administrative Court, said Mr Veera.

According to the petition, the PAD rally was carried out to protect the national interest and the demonstration, which was peaceful and weapons-free, was subject to rights stipulated under the then constitution.

The rally was protected by the charter as it was not intended to obstruct officials performing their duties, the petition reads.

The crackdown resulted in two deaths and 471 injuries.

The NACC has been given 30 days to decide on whether to appeal.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said he does not want to see the PAD put pressure on the NACC. Whether or not the appeal would be lodged depends on evidence deliberated by the NACC, he added.

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