Red-shirt core leader Nattawut Saikua turned up at the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Friday to demand justice for victims of the deadly 2010 crackdown on protesters.
The clashes between the military and supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in 2010 left 91 dead in the capital, with many more seriously injured. They were demanding the resignation of the then-government of Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.
The NACC under the old commissioners had previously rejected the case, telling the UDD to take the matter to the Department of Special Investigation, which later took the case to the Criminal Court.
The court dismissed the case in August 2014 and the ruling was upheld by the Appeal and Supreme courts. The Supreme Court ruled that the DSI had no authority to investigate and file charges against Mr Abhisit and his then deputy Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversaw the crackdown. The court said it was the jurisdiction of the NACC.
Since then Mr Nattawut has repeatedly called on the anti-graft agency to revive the case for consideration.
Mr Nattawut, in company with relatives of the crackdown victims and their lawyer, Chokchai Ang-kaew, on Friday submitted a new letter demanding justice to the NACC officials. The petitioners also requested the NACC disclose its inquiry report that led to the dismissal of the case against the two Democrat leaders.
He reiterated that the case involved the highest ever number of deaths in a Thai political fight.
He wanted to see the NACC’s investigation report to find out why the agency decided to dismiss the case. The UDD would then gather more evidence to pursue the case further.
“We cannot accept [the dismissal of the case],” said Mr Nattawut. “We want the matter of the injuries and deaths to reach the court.”
If the graft watchdog did not release it case inquiry report, the UDD would exercise its right under the Official Information Act, he said.
He later added that the UDD's petition would be given to the NACC meeting next week.
