A MAJOR SCANDAL has erupted at Mae Sot town abutting Myawaddy township in Myanmar, as a neighbouring country’s citizen implicated in the murder of a Thai woman who had employed him to work in her ricefield was released and allowed to return to home because detention centres were overcrowded, Amarin TV said today (Jan. 3).
The victim’s daughter sent a letter to Sai Mai Tong Rod (Sai Mai Must Survive) Facebook page which helps people in trouble reach state authorities.
“Police arrested the suspect on Nov. 13. He is a Myanmar national who used to work harvesting rice for my mother. While awaiting DNA test results, police detained him at the Mae Sot Immigration Police detention centre. However, for unknown reasons, the Immigration Police released him and allowed him to leave the country.
“I am a victim, the daughter of the deceased. I later found out that the police released the perpetrator without coordinating with the investigating officer in charge of the case. As a result, the perpetrator who killed my mother was released and sent back to his country. Today, the DNA test result came out and confirmed that it matches the perpetrator in every way.
“What should I do now? The police are working like this. When I asked why the perpetrator was released, they just kept passing the buck. Please, #SaiMaiTongRod page, help be a voice for my family. I am the victim and don’t know where to seek justice. With the police and Immigration Bureau working like this, where is justice?
“#Please ask Pol. Gen. Panumas Boonyalak, commander of the Immigration Bureau and commander of Provincial Police Region 6, to investigate the facts and help the deceased’s family. Don’t let my mother die in vain.”
This TV station’s reporters contacted Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas and asked him why police released a suspect in a serious crime case. He revealed that the suspect, Ton Ta Aung, was arrested for overstaying his visa and remanded in custody on Nov. 15, with deportation scheduled for the next day Nov.16 and was not apprehended on charges of rape or murder.
“During that time, there was a crackdown on scammer gangs along the Thai-Myanmar border, causing detention facilities to overflow. To free up space, police released and deported him immediately according to legal procedures.
“However, I have instructed the Commander of Immigration Bureau Division 5 to follow up on the case and all the details. If it is found that there was any favouritism or negligence on the part of any police officer in the investigation and release of a suspect in a serious crime, they will face both disciplinary and criminal punishment. This matter will require further investigation.
“Ton Ta Aung, was arrested for overstaying his visa and remanded in custody on Nov. 15, with deportation scheduled for Nov. 16. He was not arrested on charges of rape or murder.
“As for the suspect, we have instructed the authorities to expedite search for him as well,” Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas said.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page – The Myanmar murder suspect and the murder victim’s daughter. Composite photos – Amarin TV
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