BANGKOK, Feb 24 (TNA) – Former Deputy Commerce Minister
Banyin Tangpakorn has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and murdering the
brother of a judge who handles a criminal case that Banyin is charged for
falsifying documents.
The former MP of the disbanded Palang Prachachon Party has
been implicated by kidnappers involved in the disappearance of a younger
brother of the Criminal Court judge.
Police said at least two other people told police that
Banyin was behind the crime.
Police believe six people including Banyin were involved in
the abduction of the man in order to demand the judge to acquit him.
Banyin told reporters while being escorted by police on
Sunday that he was innocent.
The judge’s brother was kidnapped on February 4 by a group
of men in front of the Bangkok South Criminal Court. He is now believed to have
been murdered because one of the suspects said his body was dumped into a river
in Nakhon Sawan province. A team of divers has searched for the body.
Another strong evidence is CCTV footage showing Banyin among
the alleged abductors. Police said they also had an audio recording of Banyin’s
voice.
In the ongoing case, Banyin was charged with falsifying
documents and using the fake documents in the transfer to himself of about 300
million baht in shares from a wealthy construction contractor.
The Court is due to hand down a verdict in the share
transfer case on March 20.
National Police Chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijindas, who
has overseen the investigation in Nakhon Sawan, said he would hold a press
conference on Banyin’s arrest on Tuesday. (TNA)
