Bangkok: The Department of Corrections released CCTV footage of the time when "former Superintendent Joe" was being held in a separate detention room in Ward 5 of Klong Prem Central Prison to confirm that no officers or inmates physically harmed him to the point of death.
According to Thai News Agency, the Department of Corrections released CCTV footage of the death of Pol. Col. Thitisan Uthanaphon, also known as former Superintendent Joe, who was a prisoner at Klong Prem Central Prison. He was involved in a case of malfeasance in office, where he tortured and placed a black bag over the head of a suspect until the suspect died. The approximately 2-minute video clip was released while former Superintendent Joe was in a separate detention room in Zone 5 of Klong Prem Central Prison. The footage aims to confirm that no officer or prisoner physically harmed him to the point of death. It shows former Superintendent Joe entering the cell at 3:04 p.m., the first cell behind the bars. At 8:32 p.m., officers preparing to give him medicine found that he had tied a small towel around his neck to the cell door, prompting them to notify the warden on duty for immediate assistance.
Pol. Col. Thaweesodsong, Minister of Justice, has directed the subcommittee responsible for screening facts in cases of torture and enforced disappearances to urgently investigate the death of former Superintendent Joe under the Prevention and Suppression of Torture Act. An autopsy is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. today at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Justice, in Pathum Thani Province.