Thai Court Pursues Justice for Victims of 2004 Tak Bai Incident

A Thai court has accepted a criminal lawsuit against seven senior security personnel over the deaths of 85 Muslim protesters in 2004's Tak Bai incident. The accused military and police officers face charges of murder and unlawful detention. Amnesty International recognizes this move as a step towards justice.

A Thai court on Friday accepted a criminal lawsuit against seven senior security personnel for their alleged roles in the deaths of 85 Muslim protesters two decades ago during the Tak Bai incident.

According to a lawyer in the case and Amnesty International, the military and police officers involved are accused of murder and unlawful detention over the deadly 2004 protest in Tak Bai, which drew global condemnation and intensified the insurgency in Thailand's predominantly Muslim provinces near Malaysia. "The court process could provide justice to the victims, their families, and the community affected by the deadly crackdown," said Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, a lawyer for the families of 48 victims, as told to Reuters.

Pornpen noted that the accused have been summoned for a court appearance on Sept. 12. The Tak Bai incident, which occurred when the province of Narathiwat was under martial law, remains one of the deadliest episodes in the ongoing separatist insurgency that has claimed over 7,600 lives since it re-ignited in 2004. Thailand's then-government expressed regret over the deaths but denied any wrongdoing.

(With inputs from agencies.)