Mum cries foul as killer gets parole

Mum cries foul as killer gets parole

Demands probe as 33-year term slashed

Patcharee Punthong submits a petition to the Justice Ministry calling for justice after learning that the man sentenced to 33 years and 11 months in prison for her daughter's death is eligible to be released on parole this year after spending just four and a half years behind bars. (Justice Ministry photo)
Patcharee Punthong submits a petition to the Justice Ministry calling for justice after learning that the man sentenced to 33 years and 11 months in prison for her daughter's death is eligible to be released on parole this year after spending just four and a half years behind bars. (Justice Ministry photo)

The mother of a victim who was strangled to death and her body burned in 2014 on Wednesday cried foul after finding out the man convicted of her daughter's abduction and murder is set to be released, decades early, on parole this year.

Accompanied by Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, head of the Crime Victims Assistance Club, Patcharee Punthong also lodged an appeal with the Justice Ministry asking to review the parole granted to Polkrit Wiset, a former army sergeant sentenced to 33 years and 11 months over the death of her daughter, Ploynarin Palipol.

The move came after she learned that Polkrit is eligible for parole despite serving only four years and six months for the crime.

Ms Patcharee also called for a probe against the Corrections Department's director-general and the Bang Kwang Prison chief over several reduced terms for the inmate.

Ms Patcharee said that after learning about her daughter's death she had fought for justice for almost four years only to learn that the man responsible was soon to walk free.

She said she had not received any compensation from the inmate and had safety concerns if he was released.

She said she hoped the Justice Ministry would review its decision and do her family justice.

Mr Atchariya said on Wednesday the inmate received a number of sentence reductions even before the case was finalised and he suspected irregularities in the process.

He also said Polkrit was made an assistant to a prison warden in jail.

Thanakrit Jitareerat, secretary to Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, accepted the petition on Mr Somsak's behalf and said a probe would be set up.

Polkrit was arrested for the abduction and murder of Ploynarin in 2017 in Nakhon Ratchasima, three years after she went missing.

A final image of her appeared on CCTV footage on May 21, 2014 in Ayutthaya's Tha Rua district.

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