Somchai Neelapaijit

Somchai Neelapaijit (Thai - สมชาย นีละไพจิตร) (May 13, 1951 – last seen in 2004), a Thai Muslim-lawyer and human rights activist who "disappeared" on March 12, 2004 during Thaksin Shinawatra's regime. The case of the (probable) death of Somchai Neelaphaijit has not been solved. In 2016 Department of Special Investigation (DSI) "declared the case closed".[1]

Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is believed by many interested in the case to have played a part in Somchai's disappearance and probable murder. Though his body has not found, the motive is thought to have been Somchai's representing Muslim defendants in terrorism cases. The day after Somchai's disappearance, concerns were publicly raised. In response, Thaksin said, "Oh, don't worry. I understand he had a fight with his wife, and will probably be back home in a day or two."

Prime minister's acknowledgement of government officials' involvement in death

In 2014 the Bangkok Post reported, "In January 2006, the court acquitted four of the accused but convicted Pol Major Ngern of the relatively minor charge of coercion. Then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a significant statement a day after the court verdict acknowledging that Somchai was dead and government officials were implicated".[2]

Status of the case

Strongly suspected to be deceased, the investigation into Somchai's fate, was launched in 2004.

In late 2013 the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said the police file of the case had gone missing, but later claimed it had been found.[3] The actual status of the case and even which department is handling it was unknown, as of 2014.[4]

In 2016 Department of Special Investigation (DSI) "declared the case closed, saying no culprits have been found".[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 http://www.bangkokpost.com/archive/somchai-neelapaijit-case-closed-says-dsi/1109580
  2. ↑ Achara Ashayagachat (2014-03-05). "Somchai case unresolved 10 years on". Bangkok Post.
  3. ↑ http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/385684/wife-of-missing-lawyer-somchai-neelapaijit-slams-dsi
  4. ↑ http://www.humanrights.asia/news/alrc-news/human-rights-council/hrc25/ALRC-CWS-25-12-2014 THAILAND: Ten years without justice for Somchai Neelaphaijit

External links



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