Bangkok: Police hold a meeting to expedite the investigation into the death of ‘Pol. Col. Joe’, revealing that they could not investigate the assault case because the prison reported an obstacle. As for the towel used in the incident, it was found that it was cut to save a life.
According to Thai News Agency, at 11:30 a.m. on March 9 at Prachachuen Police Station, after Pol. Lt. Gen. Somkhwan Phuengtraphon, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Pol. Lt. Gen. Jessada Suaysom, Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, Pol. Col. Thitiphong Phiwatwuttikun, Deputy Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, and Pol. Col. Sanya Ubonwiratana, Superintendent of Prachachuen Police Station, attended a meeting to discuss expediting the investigation into the death of Pol. Col. Thitisan Uthanaphon, or Superintendent Joe, for more than 2 hours.
Pol. Lt. Col. Jessada revealed the progress that today there was a meeting to follow up on the case, both in the case of Superintendent Joe’s death and the assault. In the case of Superintendent Joe’s death, initial evidence in the area has been collected, including all CCTV cameras. After this, all evidence will be thoroughly examined, especially the towel that Superintendent Joe used in the incident. The length of the towel cannot be determined at this time because it was found that the Corrections Department officers cut it to help and put it in the solitary confinement cell.
In the case where Director Joe was physically assaulted, he gave his lawyer the power of attorney to file a complaint on January 14. After that, the officers have been taking action continuously and have received information from a doctor’s report that Director Joe had bruises from being physically assaulted. However, they have not yet inspected the scene of the incident, investigated the incident, charged anyone, and questioned Director Joe. They only went to talk to him initially by visiting him. This is because questioning requires a process in the prison. However, after coordinating, the prison informed them that there was a problem. After this, they will question all those involved. They admit that since the complainant is dead, the process is more difficult, but it is possible.
As for the issue of relatives of 5 other prisoners who were abused by the same guard, this matter is under investigation. If any wrongdoing is found, action will be taken quickly. However, the police are not worried about anything and are ready to proceed according to scientific principles and will do everything as transparently as possible.