Press Statement Sean McCormack, Spokesman Washington, DC January 13, 2006
Disappearance of Somchai NeelaphaijitFollowing the January 12 decision of a Thai court to acquit four of the five policemen charged in the disappearance of prominent Thai lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit, the United States welcomes Prime Minister Thaksin’s statement calling for continued vigorous investigations leading to the prosecution of those who committed this crime.
Somchai Neelaphaijit, a respected lawyer, disappeared on March 12, 2004 in Thailand shortly after filing a complaint on behalf of five clients alleging they were tortured while in police custody. He was the attorney for several ethnic Malay defendants accused of security-related offenses. We are deeply concerned that no one has been brought to justice for the disappearance of this respected attorney and urge the government to conduct a serious and competent investigation.
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