Suspects not shown won’t impact judicial procedures

BANGKOK, July 1 (TNA) -- Wiisit Wisitsoraat, permanent secretary for Justice said banning of the presentation of criminal suspects at press conferences would not have an impact on judicial procedures, saying that the most significant object lies in evidence in charging against them. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered to bar arranged public appearances of the suspects, saying that the suspects have no rights to give a press conference but they could speak out to defend themselves in court. In defending Gen Prayut’s order, Mr Wiisit said evidences gathered by police have a direct impact on passing a judgment against a suspect followed by a display of how a crime was committed by the suspect. By showing a suspect giving a press conference would not affect the judicial procedures at all as the most significant object lies in evidence in charging against them, said Mr Wiisit. He said he agreed with the order issued by the prime minister because judicial procedures must create human rights and not violating rights of the suspect. The practice of bringing suspects in high-profile cases in press conferences is common in Thailand, stoking fears of trial by media. The identities of suspects are often exposed to the public even though they have yet to be convicted of any crime. (TNA)