Eight ex-officials face indictment for dropping cases against Red Bull heir
Prosecutors to have them produced in court next week
The former commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police, Pol General Somyot Poompanmoung, and former deputy attorney-general Nate Naksuk as well as six others will be indicted in the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on August 29, the Office of the Attorney-General said.
In a letter to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the prosecutors have informed the NACC to bring the eight suspects before the court on August 29.
The action against the eight stems from their controversial decision not to prosecute Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, who was allegedly involved in a fatal car accident that killed a police officer in 2012.
The NACC report on February 27 had found grounds to charge them.
The case relates to a decision not to prosecute Vorayuth for his alleged involvement in the death of Pol Sen Sgt-Major Wichian Klanprasert in 2012, where evidence regarding the vehicle's speed was allegedly tampered with.
On August 21, a meeting of the attorney-general's committee discussed a complaint filed by Nate Naksuk, one of the accused, who claimed the decision to prosecute him for not charging Vorayuth was unlawful.
The complaint was dismissed after the committee deliberated and concluded that the decision was within the discretion and legal authority of the attorney-general, as per the regulations and guidelines of the disciplinary procedures.
Vorayuth, who hails from the family of the founder of Red Bull, a famous global energy drink brand, was acquitted of all charges in the fatal car accident. The prosecutor issued a final decision not to prosecute him for reckless driving causing death, and the police did not oppose this decision, effectively closing the case.
The decision sparked public outrage with demands for the authorities to take action to uphold the integrity of the justice system.
In response the then-government of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha, established a fact-finding committee. The committee concluded that the decision not to prosecute was tainted by irregularities in the investigation, including collusion to delay the case at the prosecutorial level and the use of political influence to pressure the justice system.
