Thai agency says army did not kill Reuters cameraman

A Thai policeman holds a picture of Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto in front of the Japanese embassy in Bangkok. Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has concluded Hiro Muramoto was not shot by security forces. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

BANGKOK - THAILAND'S Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has concluded that Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto, who was killed during political protests last year, was not shot by security forces, the head of the DSI said on Sunday.

That conclusion contradicts a preliminary finding in a DSI report leaked to Reuters in December, which indicated the bullet that killed the Japanese journalist on April 10 came from the direction of troops.

DSI Director-General Tharit Pengdith said the bullet came from an AK-47, which did not match the weapon used by soldiers in the street in Bangkok that day.

'Now we know for sure the bullet that killed him was a Russian-made AK-47, which we do not have for military use,' Tharit Pengdith told Reuters, adding there would be a news conference on Monday to outline the findings.

Muramoto, 43, was based in Tokyo and had come to Bangkok to help cover anti-government 'red shirt' protests that lasted from March to mid-May last year. He was among 91 civilians and members of the security forces killed during the unrest.

Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd was not immediately available for comment. He was quoted in Sunday's Bangkok Post as saying soldiers did not use AK-47 rifles on the day in question. -- REUTERS