3rd round-bail requests prepared for Thai political prisoners

BANGKOK, June 13 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Justice's Rights and Liberties Protection Department will, from June 20 onward, file the third round of bail requests for the release of over 50 people detained for previous political unrest. Justice Ministry Spokesperson Ruenwadee Suwannamongkol said Wednesday that the requests would be filed for the temporary release of 54 detainees. Rights and Liberties Protection Department Director-General Pitaya Jinawat told journalists that he believed the third attempt should be successful because medical and legal experts had presented new evidence to back the bail requests, including information on the mental illness of about 10 detainees. Besides, representatives of the Lawyers’ Association of Thailand have already talked with the families of other detainees and they believe that the detainees will not escape but stay to take care of their families. Earlier, the Thai goverment-appointed Truth for Reconciliation Commission or TRC has proposed to the administration the temporary release of those people detained for previous political turmoils, reasoning that the people have the right to the temporary release to take care of their families and prepare for their defense. The prime minister has then ordered a committee assigned to implement the TRC’s recommendations to speed up the implementation. (TNA)