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Court staff hear Li charges



July 9th,Bangkok Post
JUDICIARY



Court staff hear Li charges

Judges appear before investigation panel



Two judicial officials facing a disciplinary probe on suspicion of 
taking bribes from suspected drug trafficker Li Yun Chung have reported 
to the investigation panel to hear accusations against them.

Apichit Sombatsiri, 53, deputy chief justice of Region 1 Court, and 
Sitthichoke Indaraviset, 38, acting chief judge of Min Buri Court 
appeared yesterday before the three-man investigation panel headed by 
Pramote Bunnag, the chief justice of Thon Buri Criminal Court.

Mr Pramote has made arrangements for the two officials to testify to the 
panel.

Region 1 Court chief justice Praman Teeyapaiboonsin said he had not 
proposed transfer of the two judges because so far they have only been 
suspected of involvement.

But he added that he was ready to comply if the Justice Ministry wanted 
them removed on grounds that they might obstruct investigation.

Mr Praman said Mr Apichit had denied accepting any bribe from Li.

Somchai Udomwong, former Criminal Court deputy chief justice, has been 
sacked for granting bail to Li in February. Li was wanted by the United 
States to stand trial on charges of importing 486 kg of heroin into that 
country.

Li fled to Burma a few days after his release but was arrested later and 
returned to Thailand. He has been extradited to the US.

Police investigators allege that Li's wife, Mayuree, paid 13 million 
baht to buy his freedom. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of 
Narath Charoensuk, alias Phuek, on charges that he brokered the release 
of Li.

Apart from the two judicial officials, two court officials are also 
facing disciplinary investigation. They are Borasak Boonkhong, a 
Criminal Court deputy registrar, and Piewphan Art-ong, a clerk.

In a related development, a formal complaint has been lodged with Crime 
Suppression Division police against a number of people who are suspected 
to have accepted bribes from Li, a source said.

The source, however, did not identify the suspects.

The complaint was filed by Pol Lt-Col Vichai Rattanayos, deputy 
superintendent of the 2nd sub-division of the CSD, with Pol Cpt Somyos 
Romson, the deputy inspector.

Pol Lt-Col Vichai said initial investigations showed that the drug 
suspect had paid 10 million baht to several people to buy his freedom 
during detention, pending extradition proceedings to the United States.

Investigators will summon people, including those responsible for 
granting Li bail, for questioning.




"THERE WILL BE NO REAL DEMOCRACY IF WE CAN'T GURANTEE THE RIGHTS OF THE 
MINORITY ETHNIC PEOPLE.  ONLY UNDERSTANDING THEIR SUFFERING AND HELPING 
THEM TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS WILL ASSIST PREVENTING FROM THE 
DISINTEGRATION AND THE SESESSION."  "WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING THEIR 
STRENGTH, WE CAN'T TOPPLE THE SLORC AND BURMA WILL NEVER BE IN PEACE."


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