Abhisit, Suthep cleared for 2010 crackdown on red-shirts

The Supreme Court has upheld the decisions of two lower courts to dismiss the case against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban for the deadly military crackdown on red-shirt protesters in 2010.

The case was filed against the two men by special case litigation prosecutors at the Office of the Attorney-General in the Criminal Court on the recommendation of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

The Criminal Court in August 2014 dismissed the case, in which Mr Abhisit and Mr Suthep were charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with the 2010 crackdown on the red-shirt protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). Mr Abhisit was then prime minister and Mr Suthep his deputy.

The court ruled it did not have jurisdiction to handle the case, which should have instead been brought before the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.

The prosecution appealed and lost the appeal in February 2016.

The Supreme Court on Thursday also ruled that the National Anti-Corruption Commission should file the case with the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, in accordsance with the constitution and provisions of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act BE 2542 (1999).

The Supreme Court said the two lower courts’ decisions were correct.