Police officers face charges for wrongful arrest in Sa Kaeo murder

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) submitted the case files of eight police officers from Aranyaprathet Police Station to the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Region 2 Prosecutor’s Office regarding the wrongful arrest of a woman’s husband for her murder in Sa Kaeo.

The officers face serious charges under Section 157 of the Penal Code and the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act. The prosecutor’s office will announce its decision on November 20.

The Deputy Director-General of the Office of the Attorney General, Watcharin Panurat, who also serves as the spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General, revealed that the DSI’s investigative team, led by Kanap Pinthong and Theeraniti Chanpraphat, delivered the special case file number 9/2567.

The team recommended prosecution and handed over the eight accused police officers, who include the superintendent, deputy superintendent of investigation, inspector of investigation, and deputy inspector of investigation, among others.

These officers are accused of misconduct under Section 157 of the Penal Code, violations under the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, and illegal detention.

The case revolves around the wrongful legal actions taken against Panya, also known as Uncle Piak, in connection with the murder of Buaphan, a 47 year old mentally unstable woman. The Aranyaprathet police charged Panya with murder, claiming he confessed to the crime while intoxicated.

However, CCTV footage obtained by the media later revealed that the actual perpetrators were a group of five youths, two of whom were children of police officers in Sa Kaeo province. This revelation underscored the wrongful actions of the involved police officers, leading to their current legal predicament.

The case files were handed over to the PACC Region 2 Prosecutor’s Office, located in Rayong province, for further consideration and orders. The PACC Region 2 Prosecutor’s Office has scheduled the decision announcement for November 20, reported KhaoSod.

“The investigation team, led by Kanap Pinthong and Theeraniti Chanpraphat, has worked meticulously to gather all necessary evidence and present a strong case to the prosecution.

“We are committed to upholding justice and ensuring that those who misuse their positions of power are held accountable.”