DSI to summon 83 suspects for rally funding case from 28 Jun

BANGKOK, 21 June 2010 (NNT) – The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will start calling in 83 individuals and companies accused of illegally funding anti-government protests for questioning on 28 June 2010.

DSI Director-General Tharit Pengdit stated that Army Chief General Anupong Paochinda had signed an official order for the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) to summon the 83 persons and entities for clarifications on their irregular money transfers. He explained that from 28 June onwards, the suspects would be gradually called in within a timeframe of 60 days for interrogation whether their financial transactions were aimed to sponsor the protests of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) as alleged.

Mr Tharit further mentioned that Mr Wichien Khaokham, UDD core leader and Puea Thai MP under arrest warrant for terrorism, had asked for postponement of his surrender to the DSI, citing that he had to undergo a hernia surgery.

The DSI Chief elaborated that there had been a total of 155 cases related to UDD rallies since the end of 2009. 482 individuals have been labeled as suspects, 161 of whom have turned themselves in while the other 321 are still on the run.