In accordance with
special case no. 27/2559, Phrathepyanmahamuni was unjustly charged with
abetting in money laundering and accepting stolen property.
1. In reference to the Klongchan Credit Union
Cooperative (KCUC) case where 878 checks had been withdrawn which led to the
problems related to their financial operations, the Department of Special
Investigation (DSI) started with special case no. 146/2556, which they had
submitted to the prosecutor with Phrathepyanmahamuni as a suspect. By law, once
the findings by the DSI officials are submitted to the prosecutor, the
authority to evaluate, or to further investigate, rests in the hands of the
prosecutor. DSI officials are not permitted to investigate further and charge
an additional individual using the same findings at this stage according to
criminal code 141-143.
2.
Later, the prosecutor
requested that DSI officials obtain additional evidence related to the money
trail for the 878 checks. DSI officials have already questioned
Phrathepyanmahamuni about his role as a recipient of the 10 checks from the
Credit Union as authorized by Mr. Supachai. DSI officials then submitted their
additional findings related to special case no. 146/2556 on the 29th of October
2015, and recommended the prosecutor bring charges of money laundering and
accepting stolen goods against Phrathepyanmahamuni.
3.
The lead prosecutor
reviewed case no. 146/2556 on the 29th of January 2016, without charging
Phrathepyanmahamuni. If evidence emerged showing there were individuals who
conspired to engage in this crime, then investigative officials were permitted
to proceed with the case in accordance with the law.
4.
On the 18th of February
2016, DSI officials released a public statement that they would charge
Phrathepyanmahamuni for accepting stolen property. The attorney representing
Phrathepyanmahamuni filed a letter to the prosecutor asking if DSI officials
were authorized to bring this additional charge. The prosecutor stated that DSI
officials will have to obtain additional evidence and submit these findings to
the prosecutor first. DSI officials cannot legally construct a new case on
their own.
5.
The attorney, who was
given Power of Attorney by Phrathepyanmahamuni, submitted documentation with
responses from the Lead Prosecutor, to the Director-General of DSI on the 18th
of February 2016.
6.
Mr. Thammanoon Attachoti
filed a complaint against Phrathepyanamahamuni alleging he was an accomplice in
laundering money and accepting stolenproperty in March 2016, which led DSI
officials to open special case No. 27/2559. DSI officials then issued a summons
on the 29th of March for Phrathepyanmahamuni to appear as the accused in
conspiring to launder money and accept stolen property, which may be considered
a misuse of authority (according to Judgement No. 9/2481).
7.
On the 16th of May 2016,
Mr. Pathajak Thepsorn, a supporter of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, filed a complaint to
the Office on Anti-Corruption Commission that DSI officials in special case no.
27/2557 had performed their duties dishonestly. They had broken Criminal Code
Article 157 Sections 200, 83, and 86. He also filed a complaint against Mr.
Thammanoon Attachoti as being the person behind these illegal activities.
8.
The investigation
carried out by DSI officials for special case no. 27/2559 is unjust on many
accounts; for example, They rapidly opened a new case and subsequently issued a
summons for the accused. Phrathepyanmahamuni had requested a postponement due
to illness, with a medical certificate from clinic-based and public
hospital-based physicians as supporting documentation. However, DSI officials
did not permit the postponement and did not assign a physician from the
government sector to examine his health, as to whether he is indeed ill or not.
Instead, they immediately sought an arrest warrant from the court.
9.
Supporters and followers
of Wat Phra Dhammakaya question the basis of special case no. 27/2559 by the
Department of Special Investigation and believe that it was illegal to begin
with. Thus, the judicial process was not carried out in a fair and honest
manner. This is akin to buttoning up the first button on a shirt in the wrong
position. The rest will be in the wrong position as well. Supporters and followers
would like to bring attention to every illegal action committed by each person
involved with this case, in an attempt to prevent authorities from abusing
their power. They should act justly, and in accordance with the law, in order
to set proper standards for the rest of society.
Mr. Ongart Thammanita
Spokesperson, Followers
and Supporters of Wat Phra Dhammakaya
17 May 2559 (2016)
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