Thai journalist suing PM
2010-07-22 13:35
Bangkok - A Thai journalist wounded during an army crackdown on a mass protest in April is suing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and other top officials for attempted murder, his lawyer said on Thursday.
Bodin Watcharobol, a 42-year-old freelance photographer, was shot and seriously wounded as armed troops tried to clear an area of the capital of demonstrators, leaving 26 people dead after one day of fierce street battles.
The suit, filed on Thursday with the Criminal Court, names 13 people, including Abhisit, his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and army chief Anupong Paojinda, said Bodin's lawyer, Udom Prongfa.
"The charges are attempted murder and physical assault because they ordered soldiers to crack down on protesters," he added.
Udom said 20 more lawsuits were expected to be filed by victims and their relatives against government officials including the premier over the authorities' handling of the mass opposition protests.
The two-month long rally by the "Red Shirts", who were seeking immediate elections, sparked outbreaks of violence that left 90 people dead and nearly 1 900 injured, ending in a bloody army crackdown in May.
Two foreign journalists were among the dead.
- SAPA