It is better for late justice than no justice at all
Delayed justice is injustice. It was so said. But for the families of the late Imam Yapha of Ban Kortor masjid in Narathiwat’s Rueso district and Ashari Sama-ae, it is better for late justice than never at all.
Mr Yapha Kaseng, former imam of Kortor masjid, was arrested by security forces during March 19-20, 2008 on security-related charges and detained at a forward camp located in Wat Suan Tham, Rueso district. He was found dead on March 21 allegedly after being tortured and beaten up by a group of his captors.
Five army officers were accused of being responsible for the imam’s death. They were identified as Cpt Pansak Soparat of Narathiwat, Sub-Lt Sirikhet Wanichbamrung, Sgt-Maj Roengnarong Bua-ngarm and Sgt Bundhit Thinsook. All of them attached to Narathiwat’s Task Force 39.
They were charged with malfeasance in office and assault causing the death of Imam Yapha during detention. The case was investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
After years of investigation and inexplicable delay, the NACC has recently reached a ruling on the case in which only Sub-Lt Sirikhet was faulted for being responsible for the imam’s death. The three other army officers were cleared of anywrongings as the evidences available were found to be inadequate to substantiate criminal proceedings against them.
As for Sub-Lt Sirikhet, the NACC recommended gross disciplinary action against him.
In the other case, Ashari Sama-ae was arrested by security forces during a raid of a rubber plantation in Yala’s Krong Penang district on July 21, 2007. On the same night he was rushed to an army-run hospital in the Ingkayut camp in serious condition. Later on he was moved to Soon Yala hospital where he was declared dead the following day. Doctor said he sustained injury in the brain and his body bore several bruises.
The victim’s mother, Mrs Baedo Sama-ae took the case to Songkhal Administrative Court to seek compensation from the Defence Ministry as the first defendant, the army as the second defendant, the National Police Office as the third defendant and the Prime Minister’s Office as the fourth defendant.
The case went through the Administrative and the Supreme Administrative Court. Finally, the Supreme Court issued its verdict ordering the PM’s Office to pay compensation amounting to 534,310 baht to the victim’s family. The other three defendants were acquitted.
Ms Maseetor Munla, an official of the Mixed Culture Foundation, said the compensation awarded to the victim’s family by the court was a different amount unrelated to the 7.5 million baht compensation already paid to the family by the government.
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Caption : Mr Yapha Kaseng, former imam of Kortor masjid