Enquiry into the mysterious death of a suspected militant in military detention is under way

An independent panel tasked with investigating into the death of a suspect detained on security-related charges held its first meeting on December 9 – one day after it was set up. 

          The panel is chaired by Pattani governor Thakerngsak Yoksiri and comprises 12 other members representing the 4th army region, Pattani police, the National Human Rights Commission, Muslim lawyers association, the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre, Muslim clergy in Pattani and two relatives of the dead victim.

          At its first meeting, the panel agreed to appoint the suspect’s widow, Mrs Kurosamoh Tuwaebuesa, and another relative, to join the panel.

          The panel is to meet on December 12.  Four relatives of the suspect and four army representatives will testify to the panel.

          The 41-year old victim, Abdullayib Do Loh, succumbed to his death in his detention cell at Ingkhayuth Boriharn army barrack in Nong Chik district of Pattani on December 4.  He was found dead in his sarong loincloth, shirtless and lying on a prayer’s mat at about 5.30 am.  But the military thought he might have died one hour earlier.

          Immediately after finding out about the suspect’s death, military officers at the barracks alerted his family, the Pattani provincial Islamic committee, Muslim lawyers association, Nong Chik police and some non-governmental organizations.

          The suspect’s body was later rushed to Songkhla Nakharind University’s hospital in Hat Yai for an autopsy with the consent of his family.  Initial findings showed there were no signs that the suspect was assaulted, according to Colonel Pramote Prom-in, spokesman of the 4th army region’s forward command of the Internal Security Operations Command.  He, however, assured of a full enquiry to ensure fairness to all parties concerned.

          However, relatives of the victim suspected foul play and wanted a full probe to clear the air of any suspicion.

          Mr Abdullayib was held in military custody on November 11 after a raid of security forces in Tambon Korlor Tanyong, Nong Chik district.  He was accused of being a company-level leader (kompi) of a separatist group.  The military claimed that he admitted of being involved in violent activities in the province and was eventually sent to Ingkhayuth Boriharn barracks for detention and further interrogation.

          Mrs Angkhana Nilapaichit, a member of the National Human Rights Commission, said the suspect’s family used to complain that  the military had unnecessarily detained the suspect far too long.  She called on the 4th army region to come up with substantive evidences of the suspect’s alleged violent activities claiming that it was not known that, in the end, whether the case would be accepted by the court or not.

          Mrs Angkhana said she doubted whether the detained suspect was given medical checkup periodically while in detention so that his serious illness – if there was any – could be detected first.

          Mr Thakerngsak, the head of the investigating committee, said he was not worried with the task and expected to have some results within a week.

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Caption : The first meeting of the independent panel in Pattani province