Suspect in Saudi businessman´s missing case cries foul

BANGKOK, 12 January 2010 (NNT) – Chief of the Provincial Police Region 5, Police Lieutenant General Somkid Boonthanom, lodges complaints against several officials for malfeasance regarding the investigation into the disappearance of Saudi businessman Mohammand al-Ruwaili in 1990 in Thailand.

The complaints have been filed with the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The alleged officials include former Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Police Colonel Thawee Sodsong, Deputy Director-General of the DSI Police Colonel Suchart Wong-ananchai, special case investigator Police Lieutenant Colonel Benjapol Chanthawan, Director-General of the Special Litigation Department Thanapich Mulapruek, and special case prosecutor Ruk Khuensuwan.

Police Lieutenant General Somkid, who is alleged of being involved in the case, said the mentioned officials made false accusations against him. He claimed that there was insufficient supporting evidence and unclear accusations to prove his involvement in the case.

Police Lieutenant General Somkid is one of the five suspects. The four others are Mae Hong Son’s Sob Mei district police chief Police Colonel Soraluk Joosanit, Ubon Ratchathani’s Nam Khun district police chief Police Colonel Prapas Piyamongkol, Police Lieutenant Colonel Suradej Udomdee, and retired Police Sergeant Prasong Thorung.

Public prosecutors will announce whether to indict the five police officers on 12 January 2010, before the expiration of the term of the case on 12 February this year.