Thai lawmaker surrenders to police over treason charges

0 Comments | Asian Political News, June 7, 2004

BANGKOK, June 3 Kyodo

A Muslim lawmaker from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's ruling party surrendered to police Thursday over charges he masterminded a January attack on an army weapons depot that left four soldiers dead.

Najmuddin Umar from the Thai Rak Thai Party is facing 10 charges for alleged treason, separatist activities, arson, robbery and murder of government officials.

Najmuddin, who was bailed out immediately, denied all the charges.

On Jan. 4, a group of assailants raided an army arsenal in the southernmost province of Narathiwat, killing four soldiers, stealing more than 300 guns and setting 20 schools ablaze.

The day marked a starting point for the ongoing series of violence in southern Muslim-dominated provinces.

Thaksin pledged not to interfere in Najmuddin's case.

Najmuddin entered politics in 1992 and is a former adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.

He is now an adviser to the Narathiwat Provincial Islamic Committee.