|
South China Morning Post
Saturday, January
29, 2000
THAILAND
Proof of
execution of hostage-takers may be lost
WILLIAM BARNES The bodies of 10 hostage-takers who were killed by Thai commandos on
Tuesday after a 24-hour hospital siege in Ratchaburi are rotting rapidly in
temporary crypts in a provincial temple. Their identities are still unknown.
One of the freed hostages claimed the gunmen had been executed after surrendering. But hopes that forensic examinations might show how they died are fading. Under Thai law, the body of anyone killed by the security services should be taken to a police hospital where it can be preserved for examination. "Is there something to hide? asked Somchai Homlaor, a human rights observer and secretary-general of the regional human rights group Forum-Asia. |