Murder charges have been brought against former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban for the deaths of some 90 protestors who were participating in the 2010, anti-government demonstrations.
Abhisit and Suthep appeared yesterday at the Department of Special investigations to hear the charges read. The DSI’s charges stem from Abhisit’s decision to allow the military to use live ammunition on protestors.
The BBC quoted Abhisit as saying, “We tried to negotiate with the protesters, and they wouldn’t accept any of the deals that we offered them. It was our duty to restore order, and that’s what we were trying to do.”
Abhisit also insisted that the murder charges were politically motivated, pointing out that many of the 2010 protestors had backed Thaksin Shinawatra, brother of current Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra.
Though he denies any wrongdoing, Abhisit has stated that he will respect the state’s decision in this matter, even if it goes so far as to issue the death penalty.
Reader Interactions