Abhisit, Suthep to be indicted on murder charges in 2010 turmoil

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BANGKOK, March 26 – The Office of Attorney General (OAG) will consider indicting former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy, Suthep Thaugsuban, in connection with deaths and injuries of civilians in a crackdown on protesters in the 2010 political upheaval in Bangkok.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has submitted the case to the OAG for further action, saying six people were killed and six others injured inside Pathum Wanaram temple at Mr Abhisit’s and Mr Suthep’s order.

The DSI charged the pair with premeditated murder. Mr Suthep was then the appointed director of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) which handled the protest led by the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), the red shirts .

The Bangkok South District Court earlier ruled that the six victims were shot with .223 caliber and 5.56mm bullets from the direction of the BTS skytrain station in front of Pathum Wanaram Temple where the military was on duty by CRES order.

It was not known who fired at the group of people but Mr Abhisit and Mr Suthep were compelled to take responsibility for the result, according to the DSI.

Mr Abhisit appeared earlier in court to acknowledge the charges but Mr Suthep failed to show up. The Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Mr Suthep.