Former Thai PM cleared of murder

Thai court throws out charges of murder and abuse of power against Abhisit Vejjajiva,
former prime minister

Abhisit Vejjajiva (C) arrives for his trial at the Criminal Court, Photo: EPA
By AFP
6:58AM BST 28 Aug 2014
A Thai court dismissed charges of murder and abuse of power against former prime minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva and his ex-deputy over a bloody crackdown on opposition protests in 2010.
Scores of demonstrators died under Abhisit's establishment-backed government in street clashes
between mostly unarmed "Red Shirt" demonstrators and security forces firing live rounds in
Bangkok.
A criminal court in the capital ruled on Thursday that it did not have jurisdiction to hear the case
because Abhisit and his then-deputy Suthep Thaugsuban were holders of public office at the time
and acting under an emergency decree.
It said the only court with the authority to consider the allegations was the Supreme Court's Criminal
Division for Holders of Political Positions.
"So the criminal court decided today to dismiss the two charges," a judge said.