The Supreme Court has acquitted two former local government politicians and a third relative indicted for murdering an environmental activist opposing a plan to construct a coal-fired power plant.
On Tuesday, 13 October 2015, the Supreme Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, Bangkok, dismissed charges against Manoch Hinkaew, a former Provincial Councillor of the central Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Jua Hinkaew, a former Kamnan (Subdistrict Head) of Bo Nok Subdistrict, Mueang District of the province, and Thanu Hinkaew.
The three, together with Saneh Lekluan and Prajuab Hinkaew, were indicted for killing Charoen Wat-aksorn, a key leader of an environmental activist group opposing the construction of a power plant in Bo Nok Village in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
The five were also indicted for offences under the 1947 Arms Control Act.
Charoen Wat-aksorn was killed by gunmen when he returned to Prachuap Khiri Khan on 21 June 2004 right after testifying to a Senate Committee in Bangkok on land misappropriation in the province.
He died on spot after being shot nine-times with 9 mm pistol.
Kornuma Pongnoi (centre), wife of the deceased activist, and many other villagers from Bo Nok, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, in front of the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, Bangkok, on 13 October 2015.
The court acquitted the two former politicians and Thanu, citing insufficient evidence.
Saneh and Prajuab were alleged to be the hit men hired by the three suspects to kill the environmental activist but they died in prison in August 2006 while the case was still being heard by the Court of First Instance.
The Supreme Court’s ruling to acquit the three confirmed the ruling of the Appeal Court. The Court of First Instance had passed the death sentence on Thanu Hinkaew.
In the courtroom on Tuesday, about 150 people from Prachuap Khiri Khan Province came to listen to the verdict, including Kornuma Pongnoi, the wife of the deceased activist.
They all wore green shirts to support Kornuma and mourn the late environmental activist.
After the acquittal verdict was read, Kornuma said “I disagree with the court’s ruling, but I have to endure it. We will consult each other on how to continue the struggle. It is difficult to hope for protection from the judicial system.”
In a handwritten statement, she said that after 11 years, the judicial system in the country had failed to deliver justice to her late husband.
“After 11 years of following the assassination of Charoen Wat-aksorn, we have learned that the judicial system could not prosecute the perpetrators.”
She alleged that the hit men who shot Charoen were killed even before they could testify in the case.
Kornuma also mentioned that Bo Nok villagers are currently facing renewed threats and intimidation.
Since 2007, Prachatai English has been covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite the risk and pressure from the law and the authorities. However, with only 2 full-time reporters and increasing annual operating costs, keeping our work going is a challenge. Your support will ensure we stay a professional media source and be able to expand our team to meet the challenges and deliver timely and in-depth reporting.
• Simple steps to support Prachatai English
1. Bank transfer to account “โครงการหนังสือพิมพ์อินเทอร์เน็ต ประชาไท” or “Prachatai Online Newspaper” 091-0-21689-4, Krungthai Bank
2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”