Akeyuth's lawyer blasts police

Akeyuth's lawyer blasts police

Fourth suspect arrested in 'strangulation' killing

The lawyer of slain businessman Akeyuth Anchanbutr cried foul Thursday over the ongoing investigation into his murder as the authorities continued to reject a political motive in the case.

Kongkarun Anchanbutr, son of the murdered Akeyuth, attends a rite on the first day of his father’s funeral at Wat Lat Phrao. Rites will be held for seven days. (Photo by Thanarak Khoonton)

Suwat Apaipak said Akeyuth's case was not as straightforward as police tried to make it to sound. There were troubling unanswered questions, including one about missing servers containing surveillance footage from Akeyuth's house, he said.

"There is more to this case," Mr Suwat said. "It isn't a robbery-murder case as the police are trying to pass it off as."

Mr Suwat said he would wait for an autopsy report and then follow up on clues.

He said he was not convinced Akeyuth was killed for money.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung earlier said the murder was not politically motivated.

Mr Chalerm lacks credibility, Mr Suwat said. "He doesn't have any credentials to say that. He is the one who admits he is a 'servant' of Thaksin," Mr Suwat said.

Akeyuth was known to be an active anti-Thaksin campaigner. He had founded a small network of websites dedicated to covering issues about the government and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

On Thursday, the Thai-insider and Akeyuth.net websites were cleaned of all information and links, and featured on a homepage, with a stylised black and white picture of Akeyuth and the message: "REST IN PEACE Akeyuth Anchanbutr".

Akeyuth's social media sites also were scrubbed or closed, except for one of his Twitter accounts which was updated with a funeral notice.

Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Khamronwit Thoopkrachang defended the investigation and said it was based on evidence.

"I don't care what others are saying [about political motives]. The police are doing their best based on the evidence," he said.

A police source said a fourth murder suspect, Sutthipong "Berm" Pimpisarn, 27, was arrested Thursday and was being questioned by police in Bangkok.

Mr Sutthipong, from Phatthalung province, was accused of conspiring with others to murder Akeyuth and steal 5 million baht from him.

Mr Sutthipong allegedly strangled Akeyuth with a shoelace.

Three other suspects have already been arrested and charged in connection with the murder.

They are: Akeyuth's driver Santiphap Pengduang, Chaowalit Woonchum and Thiwakorn Kua-thong.

Police have recovered about 4.2 million baht after Mr Santiphap's parents _ Sgt Maj 1st Class Itthipol Pengduang and Jitampai _ came forward.

The couple had allegedly divided the money into three portions and buried it in different places. Both were charged with receiving stolen money.

Mr Chalerm said Thursday he was sure police have not rushed their investigation. However, he said he would raise these concerns with Pol Gen Adul and Pol Lt Gen Khamronwit and ask them to investigate any other leads.

Forensic expert Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan said Akeyuth's case is sensitive, like the case involving the disappearance of Somchai Neelaphaijit, the Muslim human rights lawyer. "Akeyuth was known to be fighting with state authorities [like Mr Somchai] when he was killed," she said.

"Those handling the case and politicians will have to tread with care.

"They must be careful that their involvement will not raise questions about whether the authorities are doing everything they can to solve the case," she said.

Khunying Porntip also criticised the handling of forensic work at the site where the victim's body was dug up.

She said it was not thorough.

But there is nothing she can do about the matter because she is no longer working at the Central Institute of Forensic Science, she added.

Meanwhile, assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Jarumporn Suramanee said the cause of Akeyuth's death was not confirmed, but strangulation was suspected.

He said that in addition to the mark around his neck, there was a bruise on Mr Akeyuth's left heel. The businessman might have suffered the bruise when he reportedly tried to escape from his vehicle which the suspects allegedly used to abduct him.

Police had not found the victim's clothes and there was nothing much discovered in the vehicle, which was cleaned before it was seized, he said.

National police chief Adul Saengsingkaew praised the Metropolitan Police Bureau for their speedy work.

He declined to answer questions about the missing servers from Akeyuth's house.

"That will do," he said before stepping into his car.

Meanwhile, army specialist Gen Trairong Intaratat, also known as Seh Ice, denied any involvement in Akeyuth's death.

The army general, who was a classmate of Thaksin at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, also threatened to sue anyone trying to link him to the crime.

The Senate committee on human rights decided to hold an inquiry into Akeyuth's murder.

The probe was needed given the dubious circumstances surrounding the death and the victim's political background, Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn said.

His panel's involvement is to ensure transparency in the police investigation.

Concerns are being raised about a possible conflict of interest as Akeyuth had filed a lawsuit against Pol Lt Gen Khamronwit.

The lawsuit stemmed from a brawl in a karaoke bar in December last year. The city police chief had held a press conference to provide details about the case, prompting Akeyuth to sue for defamation. The committee would review all related documents on June 27 before summoning the parties concerned to give statements.

Suriyasai Katasila, coordinator for the Green Politics group, on Thursday warned police to be thorough in their investigation. He said the police seemed to be rushing to reach a conclusion.

Mr Suriyasai also called on Mr Chalerm and Pol Lt Gen Khamronwit to steer clear of the investigation because they are known to have been in conflict with Akeyuth. "Police can close the case but they can't stop the public from asking questions," he said.

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