Court rejects petition from accused ex-national parks chief

Court rejects petition from accused ex-national parks chief

Rutchada Suriyakul Na Ayutya.
Rutchada Suriyakul Na Ayutya.

The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Tuesday rejected the complaint of a former national parks chief against police who arrested him over a bribery scandal in December last year.

Rutchada Suriyakul Na Ayutya, until recently director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, had filed a complaint against members of the police Anti-Corruption Division (ACD).

They arrested him at his office on Dec 27 last year for allegedly demanding and taking bribes from subordinates hoping for promotion or preferred transfers. About 5 million baht in cash was found in envelopes in his office safe during the police sting operation, which followed a complaint filed against him.

The former director-general accused police of malfeasance, fabricating evidence, trespass, maltreatment and illegal assembly. 

In dismissing the complaint, the court said ACD police were only doing their duty. Mr Rutchada's lawyer, Rachan Chueabankoh, said his client would appeal the ruling.

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