Conspiracies and counter conspiracies in Bhutan
Bhutan made the first high-profile arrests on 16 February 2021 in decades – that too on charges of overthrowing the chief of the Royal Bhutan Army. The nature and process of arrest speak volumes about impunity.
A team of Royal Bhutan Police arrested Kuenley Tshering, in what is seen as the most high-profile arrest in recent Bhutanese history. Along with him, police have also arrested a judge in Pemagasthsel District Court – Yeshey Dorji. The arrests were followed by the detention of Royal Body Guard commandant, Brigadier Thinley Tobgye, who was arrested about two months ago. A woman named Khandu Wangmo was also arrested, earlier.
Whereabouts of the RBG personnel and the woman is unknown while a case has been filed against Tshering and Dorji in the Thimphu District Court.
The charges are vague – conspiracy to oust RBA chief through a fake corruption charge – in relation to the procurement of the United Nations vehicles. RBA started serving in the UN peacekeeping missions in 2017.
Tshering had earlier served as Officiating Chief Justice of Bhutan between 29 November 2019 and 11 June 2020. However, Tshering failed to win the favoour of King Jigme Khesar who appointed then Chief Election Commissioner Chogyal Dago Rigdzin as new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Tshering was appointed to the Supreme Court in June 2017. He served in the National Council as King’s appointee between 2008 and 2013. And served as Justice in the High Court.
They were alleged, no evidence has been presented so far. Based on the information coming out, the whole story is likely to be based on the ordeal of RBG personnel, who is very likely to have been framed and tortured to speak what they wanted. Bhutan torture history is politically motivated and of inhuman nature – the accused are severely tortured to force acceptance of the allegations.
The arrests are very likely on the order of the RBA chief who is scared of any form of allegations against him. In a democracy and open society, any individual has the right to question the actions of those in authority. There is no reason why the RBA chief’s involvement in vehicle procurements cannot be questioned in courts. He is certainly not above the law.
Even if they have motives to frame a fake case, RBA Chief has the obligation to defend in the court. He must prove it’s fake. Charging and torturing his opponents who intend to question his action is purely an authoritarian mentality. His early intervention to stop his opponent speak against him opens doors for investigations against him. His action for arrest warrant provides evidence of his fund misuse and is scared of being charged.
The stories given to Bhutanese media appear to gain public sympathy and prove the legitimacy of the arrest. But the logic goes against the RBP and RBA chief. The decision on who should be the Chief of RBA rests with King and a corruption charge against him does not necessarily mean he will be ousted and the person bringing allegations will be installed as the next army chief.
The justice was also alleged to conspire to oust the current Chief Justice Duka. The allegations appear to be fake. In the event of the chief justice being ousted, Tshering is unlikely to succeed him – he was already denied that opportunity by King last year. Others will now face the court, but Batoo Tshering must also be tried.