Former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and three others pleaded innocent Friday to criminal charges of abuse of authority in the 2008 crackdown on People’s Alliance for Democracy demonstrators surrounding Parliament.
Mr Somchai, deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's brother-in-law; Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, the former deputy prime minister; Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon, the former police chief; and Pol Lt Gen Suchart Muankaew, the former metropolitan police chief, attended the first hearing in the case filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office-Holders on Friday.
The NACC accused the four of malfeasance in violation of Section 157 of the Criminal Code, Anti-Corruption Act of 1999, and Sections 295 and 302 of the 2007 Constitution for ordering the dispersal of PAD protestors who had laid siege to Parliament on Oct 7, 2008. Two people died and 471 were injured.
The court read out the charges against them. All defendants pleaded not guilty.
The court set Aug 18 for the examination of evidence. It ordered the four defendants to submit written statements by June 30.
The court ordered the defendants to attend each hearing and prohibited them from travelling abroad without court permission.
Emerging from the courtroom, Mr Somchai said he has prepared 60 witnesses to testify in his defence. A team of lawyers will prepare the final list of witnesses.
He said he was ready to fight the case to prove his innocence. In response to the travel ban, he jokingly said he had no money left after bail and expenses to pay for airfare anyway.
Mr Somchai was released on 9.5 million baht bail, Gen Chavalit 8 million baht, Pol Gen Patcharawat and Pol Lt Gen Suchart, 6 million baht each.