BANGKOK: A Thai court on Thursday dismissed a murder case against ex-premier Abhisit Vejjajiva and his former deputy, who were both indicted for their role in ordering a deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters in 2010.

The judges ruled the Criminal Court has no authority to handle the case because the two accused were holders of political office at the time they gave the orders.

The ruling came three months after Thailand’s army chief overthrew the country’s elected government in a bloodless coup.

Abhisit and former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban had opposed the ousted government. Dozens of people were killed in the 2010 crackdown when the army and police violently dispersed demonstrators who occupied downtown Bangkok for nine weeks.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2014