The parents and guardians of five boys, aged 13-16, who are accused of fatally assaulting a mentally-challenged woman on January 10th in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo province, were asked by district police to come in for questioning today.
Pol Lt-Gen Somprasong Yentuam, commissioner of the Region 2 Provincial Police Bureau, officials from the provincial social development office and the Department of the Protection of Rights and Liberties were present during the questioning.
The five boys have been held in police custody since CCTV footage emerged, showing one of them taunting the victim in front of a convenience store on the night of January 10th. The footage also shows the boys forcing her onto one of their motorcycles. The victim was later found dead and is believed to have been beaten to death beside a pond near a school in the district.
The victim’s estranged husband, identified as “Panya”, was arrested on suspicion of killing his wife. He reportedly admitted to the police that he battered his wife to death with a chair.
Two days later, however, he was released after police obtained the new CCTV evidence and arrested the five boys.
A video clip subsequently emerged on social media showing one of the police interrogators allegedly placing a black plastic bag over the head of Panya, prompting speculation that he was being tortured into confessing.
The police officer allegedly seen putting the plastic bag on Panya was also present during the questioning at the Mueang police station today. When questioned by the media, he refused to comment.
An investigation panel has been set up by Sa Kaeo provincial police to probe the allegation that Panya was forced to confess by one of his police interrogators.
The deputy superintendent of Aranyaprathet police was also transferred out of the district, to ensure transparency in the investigation.
The case has attracted widespread public attention due to the young ages of the suspects and accusations of torture by the police.
