Ruttaphon announced the formation of a committee to investigate the facts regarding a DSI investigator allegedly intimidating witnesses in the Senate election rigging case, emphasizing fairness to all parties. He said they will await the Election Commission's ruling and petitions submitted to the Supreme Court before compiling the organized crime and money laundering case files.
On 15 Sep 2026 GMT+7 at the Government House, Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttaphon Nawarat, Minister of Justice, spoke about the establishment of a fact-finding committee to investigate allegations that a Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officer intimidated witnesses in the Senate election rigging case. He said that the Ministry of Justice received complaints that DSI investigators handling the initial case under Criminal Code Sections 157 and 164 would be scrutinized. The ministry aims to ensure fairness to both sides by reviewing details from the case file process after some witnesses changed their testimony.
When asked whether the investigation would target only DSI officers or also high-ranking politicians, Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttaphon said this inquiry arose from a complaint letter submitted on 14 Sep 2026 GMT+7 requesting action against investigators and officials regarding both criminal and disciplinary matters.
Regarding DSI’s plan to request rulings from the Election Commission (EC) on the Senate election rigging case to support the organized crime and money laundering files, Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttaphon said they must await the EC’s decisions and the petitions submitted to the Supreme Court. Then DSI will proceed accordingly. This process will run alongside the fact-finding investigation into complaints that DSI investigators acted unfairly and intimidated witnesses. He believes the timing of both should coincide.
When pressed whether the organized crime case would rely solely on the EC’s findings, Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttaphon said they must first await the EC’s resolution and the petitions it submitted to the Supreme Court. They need to clarify who is mentioned and what behaviors are alleged before proceeding.