Yala: Two provincial courts have agreed to call separate hearings tomorrow over alleged torture during the detention of a man who was arrested in connection with a spate of violence including the deadly motorcycle bombing in downtown Yala on Jan 22.
The Muslim Attorney Centre in Yala was approached by the suspect's family for legal assistance, said Supawadee Sawari, the centre's lawyer representing the family.
Muhama-aidee Samo was arrested on March 14 at a petrol station in Yala where he worked and taken for questioning about the blast at Pimolchai fresh market in Muang district.
He was first detained at the 41st Ranger Regiment in Raman district before being handed over for interrogation at an army camp in Pattani's Nong Chik on March 20.
During visits, his wife became suspicious of mistreatment and sought legal help from the centre.
The family lodged a petition with the provincial Pattani court on April 5 to oppose the detention. The court has set a hearing for tomorrow afternoon and summonsed the suspect's wife and the chief interrogator at the army camp to testify.
Another petition was submitted demanding the detention order not be extended, citing mistreatment as the basis for the release.
The family has also lodged complaints with various agencies including the National Human Rights Commission, the Prime Minister's Office, the Justice Ministry's Rights and Liberties Protection Department, the Office of the Ombudsman, regarding the allegations.
Maj Gen Jatuporn Kalampasut, commander of Pattani Task Force, yesterday welcomed the family's decision to seek judicial intervention, saying authorities were ready to answer questions.
"It's the proper thing to do. It's better than resorting to other means. It's also their right," he said.
However, he insisted there had been no mistreatment of suspects.
Col Pramote Prom-in, spokesman for the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4, said yesterday he was unaware of the court hearings, but expressed confidence that authorities did not resort to physical abuse and the court would establish the facts and find the truth.
