PUBLISHED: 10 Oct 2024 at 06 :23
Two suspects in the 2004 Tak Bai murder case left the country before their arrest warrants were issued, a House council was told.
The knowledge was conveyed at a conference of the House Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice, and Human Rights, chaired by Kamolsak Leewamoh from the Prachachat Party.
The meeting aimed to following up on headway in bringing defendants to test for the Tak Bai murder, which took place in Narathiwat’s Tak Bai city on Oct 25, 2004.
The Narathiwat Provincial Court has issued arrest permits for seven offenders, while the attorney-general has ordered charges against seven more offenders.
Among the members at Wednesday’s gathering were representatives from the House Committee on National Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy, and National Reform, as well as people connected to the event, including Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, chairman of the Cross Cultural Foundation.
Key officials, namely from the Internal Security Operations Command ( Isoc ) Region 4 Forward Command, Provincial Police Region ( PPR ) 9, National Security Council, and Prosecutor’s Office Region 9, also attended the meeting.
At the conference, PPR 9 member Pol Col Rangsee Manjit responded to a problem posed by council member Witthaya Kaewparadai.
Mr Witthaya asked whether police had contacted the Immigration Bureau ( IB ) to inquire if any or all of the 14 suspects had fled the country.
Pol Col Rangsee said that PPR 9 had sent copies of the arrest warrants against the defendants to the IB, which has been on the alert for them in case they are attempting to leave the country.
When the council president asked if any suspects had left the country, Pol Col Rangsee confirmed that at least two offenders have left, although he did not disclose their personalities.
Pol Col Rangsee added the two offenders left before the arrest permits were handed to the IB.
The officers captain explained that prosecutors had forwarded copies of the warrants to the IB as soon as they received them.
Romadon Panjor, a PP MP and consultant from the House Committee on National Security, pressed for quality on the suspects ‘ locations.
Pol Col Rangsee admitted that, thus far, officers have been unable to find the offenders. Interpol has been alerted and is in the process of issuing a Red Notice for the two offenders who left.