Reporters Without Borders deplores Department of Special Investigation director-general Tharit Pengdit’s suggestion that the investigation into Japanese cameraman Hiroyuki Muramoto’s death could be delegated to his employer, the Reuters news agency.

“By doing this, any witness to the crime might be daring enough to provide tip-offs to Reuters more than they would to the state officials,” Tharit said after meeting with two of the British news agency’s representatives on 11 April to discuss the investigation.

Muramoto was shot dead during clashes between government forces and anti-government “Red Shirts” in Bangkok on 10 April 2010.

“The DSI’s proposal shows that the Thai government is refusing to identify those who were responsible for Muramoto’s death,” Reporters Without Borders said. “A government that respects the rule of law has an obligation to establish the truth and to ensure that justice is done.”

Reporters Without Borders recognizes the importance of cooperation between Reuters and the authorities in charge of the investigation but cannot accept any attempt by the DSI to offload its responsibility.

Reuters has not issued any statement about its meeting with Tharit almost exactly one year after Muramoto’s death. Although a year has gone by, the authorities still have not said who killed the cameraman.