Скачать или смотреть Somchai, Chavalit acquitted in Oct 2008 riot case

Former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, former deputy premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, former national police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan and former metropolitan police chief Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Muenkaew arrive at the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Offices in Bangkok on August 2, 2017, to hear the ruling in a case involving the deadly dispersal of anti-government protesters, led by the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), in 2008.

The four defendants were cleared of abuse of power. They had been accused of authorising police officers to use force against PAD protesters who blockaded the parliament building in the morning of October 7, 2008. Violent clashes between police and protesters then erupted, resulting in 471 injuries and two deaths

According to the court's ruling, the protest was not a peaceful gathering, and the defendants had conducted their duties in line with the constitution and did not intend to harm the protesters.

After the ruling was given, a group of PAD protesters who gathered outside the court expressed disappointment, with some breaking down in tears.