Described: 12 Sep 2024 at 05: 03
Before the statute of limitations expires in 44 days, a list-MP from the ruling Pheu Thai Party is being asked to waive his political immunity and file a court case involving the Tak Bai massacre in 2004.
On Wednesday, the Parliament met to discuss whether Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri, a former Army Region 4 chief and list-MP from the Pheu Thai Party, should stand trial in the Narathiwat Criminal Court. The investigation will begin on October 12. An MP is protected from legal action when they are in treatment. However, a senator may request that resistance be waived in order to bring a case.
Romadon Panjor, list-MP from the main opposition People’s Party ( PP ), told the House it is crucial for Gen Pisal to be at the first hearing to keep the case active in the court system and prevent its expiration, due on Oct 25, from taking effect.
One of the seven accused and former top leaders is accused of being involved in the fatal massacre of protesters by security forces outside Tak Bai police station in Tak Bai area on October 25, 2004.
The demonstrators were requesting the transfer of six prisoners.
Seven protesters died at the scene, and 78 people died from asphyxia or tissue loss as they were taken into and transported to a military station in Pattani’s Nong Chik area, which is 140 kilometers away.
Gen Pisal was requested by House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha because his presence may result in the event being dismissed due to an expired statute of limitations, and his family contacted him.
The complaint was sent via the House Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice, and Human Rights chairperson, Kamolsak Leewamoh, a member of the Prachachat Party in Narathiwat. According to Mr. Wan, the accused MP has not requested that Gen Pisal been tried, and neither has the accused MP indicated that she wants to get tried.
The House speech claimed that lawmakers were given resistance to avoid using a mandate to attend a test as a pretext to circumvent their legislative authority.
But, Mr. Romadon argued that, in order to administer justice, accused typically have to be interrogated in people. He claimed that the situation is important because it serves as a testament to the government ‘ ability to keep safety in the far South.