“Show us the evidence” – Pheu Thai Party

Update from The Nation

The caretaker secretary-general of Pheu Thai Party, Phumtham Wechayachai, on Friday urged authorities to show clear evidence whether policemen who were interrogated on Thursday night were involved in the flight of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

He asked for evidence such as pictures showing Yingluck in the suspected car or the detained suspect, a police Colonel, driving the car.

“I can only hope that those who have been interrogated are not scapegoats,” Phumtham told The Nation.

He also asked deputy Police Commissioner General Pol General Srivara Ransibrahmanakul, who is in charge of investigating Yingluck’s disppearance, for a more prudent approach in dealing with the probe as Yingluck was a high-profile figure.

“I do not want to see a senior police officer let his personal feelings interfere in the matter,” he said.

Three police officers were taken into custody for interrogation on Thursday night for their alleged role in helping Yingluck slip out of the country.

A bronze Toyota Camry bearing the licence plate Chor Khor 5323 was seized in Nakhon Pathom province and was suspected to be the vehicle used to drive Yingluck out of the country.

Phumtham said he had not contacted Yingluck after she had fled but believes she is safe.

“We are concerned and are still waiting for her,” he said.

He believes Yingluck would explain about her decision when the right time comes.

Yingluck apparently pulled off a dramatic escape a day or two before the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders was to deliver its verdict on her on August 25.

She was accused of negligence in preventing corruption and irregularities over her government’s costly rice-pledging scheme.

The reading of the verdict has been rescheduled for Wednesday.

If found guilty, the former prime minister could face up to 10 years in jail and a lifetime ban from politics.

Phumtham said he was waiting to see if the Supreme Court would go ahead with the reading of the verdict next Wednesday as scheduled or suspend the reading.

Yingluck’s current whereabouts are unknown. She has not been seen in public since August 23, but it has been reported that she has joined her elder brother Thaksin Shinawatra in Dubai, where he has lived for years in self-exile.

STORY: The Nation