POLICE submitted over 90,000 pages of their investigation into the collapse of the State Audit Building during the huge earthquake on March 28, centred at Mandalay, Myanmar, to the Attorney-General’s Office with recommendation that all 23 suspects, among them juristic persons and individuals, be indicted, Naewna newspaper said today (July 22).
Pol. Maj. Gen. Somkuan Phuengsap, deputy commissioner of Metropolitan Police Bureau, and his team handed over 233 files containing 98,926 pages and packed in 51 boxes to Mr. Sanchai Chanphong, director-general of the Attorney-General’s Office.
Among the 23 suspects recommended to be indicted is Italian-Thai Development Plc President Premchai Karnasuta with this company being the main contractor of the 30-storey building which upon collapsing killed around 92 people. This is Premchai’s second major tangle with the law as in 2019 he was convicted of wildlife poaching and served two and half years in prison.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Somkuan said his team agreed to indict all seven companies and 16 other suspects, who will be separated according to the charges they face including violating standards and regulations causing injuries and deaths. Some were also charged with document forgery.
All the suspects are still being detained and none bailed out, he said, with the last 12-day detention period ending on August 6.
Sanchai said even though detention is ending on August 6 he is setting up a working group of prosecutors to finish considering the case in time while ensuring fairness to all those who have been accused without having to ask for help from anyone.
Questioned whether information concerning state officials’ alleged involvement in this case that was sent to the National Anti-Corruption Committee for consideration was used in the investigation, Pol. Lt. Col. Somkuan said a complaint had been filed about this agency’s power and responsibility and investigation is proceeding with this case still open.
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Boxes of investigation papers on the collapse of the State Audit Building being handed over to the Attorney-General’s Office. Photos: Naewna
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