Bangkok: Pol. Gen. Ruttapol Naowarat, Minister of Justice, has affirmed the authenticity of leaked documents regarding collusion in the Senate election and has taken decisive steps by ordering a comprehensive investigation and preparing to file a police report to prosecute those involved.
According to Thai News Agency, the documents in question were revealed by iLaw and are confirmed as authentic Department of Special Investigation (DSI) case files from the time of the previous Minister of Justice. The Permanent Secretary has appointed a committee to investigate the facts, and the DSI Director-General is preparing to file a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division. This action aims to address both the individuals responsible for leaking the documents and those who disseminated them.
Pol. Gen. Ruttapol expressed concerns about the legality of how the documents were obtained. He has tasked the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice with overseeing the formation of a fact-finding committee to identify those responsible for the leak. The Director-General of DSI will be required to provide an explanation regarding the breach of confidentiality.
The scope of the legal proceedings will include individuals who used the documents and may involve charges under both criminal law and special laws. The investigation will determine whether officials who disclosed the information or external individuals who spread it committed any offenses.
Pol. Gen. Ruttapol concluded by stressing that the documents originated from an investigation during the tenure of the previous Minister of Justice. The Ministry's fact-finding investigation and the Crime Suppression Division's legal proceedings will shed light on the situation.