An AFP report states that Army soldiers are “believed to have shot an Italian photographer who was killed during mass opposition street protests in 2010 in Bangkok…”.
The statement came as police gave evidence to an official inquest.
Police have “questioned 47 witnesses and experts over the death of Fabio Polenghi and gathered evidence to submit to prosecutors.” Their conclusion is that “his death was believed to have been [from] a gunshot from the authorities on duty…”.
That last bit is important as a soldier on duty can get immunity from prosecution. As the report states,
No soldiers or officials have been prosecuted in connection with the deaths during the unrest, prompting anger from relatives and rights groups, who say those responsible are being protected by a culture of impunity in Thailand.
Polenghi was shot and killed on 19 May 2010 as soldiers fired thousands of rounds of live ammunition as they moved to clear red shirt demonstrators.
The Army is essentially a tool of internal repression in Thailand and has killed thousands of political opponents over several decades.
