Court Grants Bail to Defendants in High-Profile Hit-and-Run Case
PUBLISHED: 29 Aug 2024 at 13:53
In a significant development, a court has granted bail to eight individuals implicated in the high-profile Red Bull heir hit-and-run case. The defendants, including former national police chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmoung and former deputy attorney-general Nate Naksuk, are set to file their pleas on September 10.
The arraignment took place at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, where public prosecutor Suvej Chompong detailed the charges against the defendants. The most serious accusation faced by the group is dereliction of duty, stemming from their alleged mishandling of the investigation into the fatal incident.
The case, initiated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, includes a critical allegation regarding the alteration of the speed recorded for Vorayuth Yoovidhya’s Ferrari, which ultimately led to the dismissal of charges for reckless driving resulting in fatalities. This reckless driving charge is set to expire in 2027, while several other charges against him have been dropped.
While the court has granted bail, the defendants are prohibited from leaving the country. Their upcoming pleas will bring further attention to this ongoing legal saga, which has captivated the public since the incident occurred.
Vorayuth, the son of Red Bull energy drink tycoon Chalerm Yoovidhya, has been a fugitive since September 3, 2012, when his sports car struck and killed Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert of Thong Lor police station. Reports suggest that he may currently be residing in London.
Key figures in the case include:
- Pol Gen Somyot, former police chief
- Pol Maj Gen Thawatchai Mekprasertsuk, former forensic police
- Pol Col Viradol Thapthimdee, former Thong Lor police chief
- Nate Naksuk, former deputy attorney-general
- Saiprasit Koetniyom, former automotive safety expert
During the court proceedings, Pol Gen Somyot expressed his concerns about having to prove his innocence, opting not to comment on the prosecution’s recent actions, stating that the matter is now in the judges’ hands. Prosecutor Suvej indicated that public prosecutors would not oppose the bail requests if sought by the defendants.
