Four police officers and four civilians were sentenced to four years in prison today (Tuesday), without suspension, after they were found guilty of gross negligence by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 7, over the deaths of two police cadets and injuries to three others during a parachute training jump eight years ago.

One police officer was, however, acquitted because he was not responsible for the installation of equipment or supervision of the parachuting training course.

The chutes of the five cadets malfunctioned, causing two of them to plunge to their deaths and three sustaining injures, leaving one of them in a serious condition.

One of the victims’ parents took the case to court against four police officers and four civilians responsible for installing the training equipment and supervising the training course.

Echoing the court’s verdict, Ananchai Chaidet, the lawyer of one of the victims known as “Yoyo”, said that, after eight years in court, he feels that the call for justice for the victims has been answered, especially for Yoyo’s father, Sathorn Puttachaiyong.

After the reading of the verdict, Sathorn said he has finally seen light in the Thai justice system after a case had lasted so long, during which he had encountered many obstacles.