Four of nine suspects in case related to explosions in Bangkok said they faced torture and ill-treatment during military detention in March. The torture methods include beating and electric shock.
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) called for an independent investigation into the torture complaints from four suspects in case related to explosions at Bangkok Criminal Court and Siam Square and planned explosions in other locations in Bangkok.
The four suspects, who were reportedly tortured during detention from 9-15 March, are Sansern Sriounruen, Chanwit Chariyanukul, Norapat Luephon and Wichai Yusuk.
“The four suspects had been subjected to torture including being hit, punched, booted in their head, chest, back and threatened with an assault in order to extract information from them,” said the TLHR. “In addition, some suspects were electrocuted leaving visible traces on their skin while being held in custody invoking Martial Law during 9-15 March 2015.”
Moreover, rights groups, including the Human Rights Watch, have voiced concerns on the detention incommunicado of Nattatida Meewangpla, the female suspect in the case. She emerged from military detention after detained for seven day. The junta spokesman on Tuesday retracted his initial denial of such detention.
Human Rights Watch called the abduction as an abuse of authority which is common under the martial law.
“Nattatida Meewangpla’s arrest and secret detention by the Thai military should set off flashing red lights,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Holding a witness to alleged military crimes incommunicado for six days is a profoundly disturbing abuse of authority that has become commonplace under martial law.”
A volunteer medic during the 2010 military crackdown on the red shirts, Nattatida worked alongside Kamonked Akhad, another volunteer, who was shot dead in Pathum Wanaram temple on 19 May 2010.
Thailand’s martial law allows the military to detain a person without charge up to seven days. The military must then either release her or press charges under Criminal Procedure Code.
Nattatida reminded the case of Kritsuda Khunasen, a red-shirt activist who was detained without charges for more than 20 days in June 2014. After pressure from civil society, the military took her to press conference and released her. She fled to Europe and revealed that she was subjected to torture and sexual harassment during the illegal detention.
Terrorism charges against suspects related to Bangkok bomb
The military court on Tuesday granted custody permissions to detain Nattatida, aka Wan, Nares Intharasopa, and Wasana Buddee, for allegedly involving in the explosive attack in front of Bangkok’s Ratchada Criminal Court early this month.
The three will be held at Bangkok prisons for the first period of 12 days with the possibility that the period is renewed.
Winyat Chatmontree, a human rights lawyer from the Free Thai Legal Aid (FTLA), submitted 600,000 baht bail for Nattatida and 400,000 baht bail for Wasana. However, the military court denied bail for the two suspects, citing the severity of the charges and flight risk.
Winyat added that as for Nares, another suspect, his family will submit a bail request on Wednesday.
According to Thairath Online, the police accused the three for possessing illegal weapons, carrying weapons in public places, involving in terrorist plots, and attempted murder. The police also suggested that the three might be connected to terrorist plot to carry out explosive attacks in 100 different venues nationwide.
Winyat said the terrorism accusation against the two female suspects, Nattatida and Wasana, are far fetched. Nattatida is allegedly connected to the case because she borrowed money from one of the suspects. As for Wasana, she let one of the suspects whom she did not know used her financial account.
Nattatida admitted that there were financial transactions between her and one of the suspects, but said that she was not involve in the case, according to Thairath.
The police also said that Manuch Chaichana, aka Anek San Fran, a red-shirt anti-monarchist businessman living in San Francisco, is connected to the case as one of the instigators of the alleged terrorist plot.
Manuch has been charged with 33 cases after the 2014 coup, two of which are lese majeste and not reporting to the junta, according to Krungthep Turakij Online.