ID :
124476
Wed, 05/26/2010 - 19:49
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http://m.oananews.org//node/124476
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Court extends Red Shirt leaders detention another seven days
BANGKOK, May 26 (TNA) - The Criminal Court on Wednesday agreed with the request by the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) to extend the detention of three anti-government 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leaders - Veera Musikapong, Korkaew Pikulthong, and Weng Tojirakarn - for another seven days for further questioning.
They had turned themselves in to police on May 20 at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on charges of violating the Emergency Decree but denied terrorism charges.
The court hearing on the detention extension was conducted via teleconference for security reasons as the three were taken to custody at the Naresuan Border Patrol Police Base in Phetchaburi's Cha-am.
The CRES reasoned that the investigation was not yet complete and that more time was needed to do so. The extended detention period is from May 27 to June 2.
The first seven days of the trio's detention under the emergency law expires Wednesday, requiring police to seek the Court's permission of their detention for another seven days.
On Tuesday the Court gave police similarly permission to further detain five other UDD leaders - Natthawut Saikua, Kwanchai Praipana, Nisit Sithuprai, Wiphuthalang Pattanaphuthai and Yoswaris Chuklom or Jeng Dokchik on who surrendered to police on May 19 and announced the end of the more than a month-long protest at Ratchaprasong area following clashes between security forces and Red Shirts during the army operation to retake the rally site.
All five were facing charges of violating the Emergency Decree but also denied terrorism charges.
In related development, the Criminal Court on Wednesday had issued arrest warrant for 'hard core' UDD leader Arisman Pongruangrong for failing to show up to testify when charged with defaming Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
The singer turn political activist was accused of defaming the prime minister in his speeches to the Red Shirt protesters rallying in Bangkok on October 11 and 17 last year at Victory Monument when he said that Mr Abhisit caused the king's illness and became premier by "robbing the people's power."
The Court in January accepted the premier's defamation suit and Mr Arisman was scheduled to testify in court on Wednesday but failed to appear.
Mr Arisman was also wanted on an arrest warrant issued earlier for violating the emergency law. He disappeared on May 19 just before the Red Shirt leaders announced the end to the rally at Ratchaprasong and is still at large. (TNA)
They had turned themselves in to police on May 20 at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on charges of violating the Emergency Decree but denied terrorism charges.
The court hearing on the detention extension was conducted via teleconference for security reasons as the three were taken to custody at the Naresuan Border Patrol Police Base in Phetchaburi's Cha-am.
The CRES reasoned that the investigation was not yet complete and that more time was needed to do so. The extended detention period is from May 27 to June 2.
The first seven days of the trio's detention under the emergency law expires Wednesday, requiring police to seek the Court's permission of their detention for another seven days.
On Tuesday the Court gave police similarly permission to further detain five other UDD leaders - Natthawut Saikua, Kwanchai Praipana, Nisit Sithuprai, Wiphuthalang Pattanaphuthai and Yoswaris Chuklom or Jeng Dokchik on who surrendered to police on May 19 and announced the end of the more than a month-long protest at Ratchaprasong area following clashes between security forces and Red Shirts during the army operation to retake the rally site.
All five were facing charges of violating the Emergency Decree but also denied terrorism charges.
In related development, the Criminal Court on Wednesday had issued arrest warrant for 'hard core' UDD leader Arisman Pongruangrong for failing to show up to testify when charged with defaming Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
The singer turn political activist was accused of defaming the prime minister in his speeches to the Red Shirt protesters rallying in Bangkok on October 11 and 17 last year at Victory Monument when he said that Mr Abhisit caused the king's illness and became premier by "robbing the people's power."
The Court in January accepted the premier's defamation suit and Mr Arisman was scheduled to testify in court on Wednesday but failed to appear.
Mr Arisman was also wanted on an arrest warrant issued earlier for violating the emergency law. He disappeared on May 19 just before the Red Shirt leaders announced the end to the rally at Ratchaprasong and is still at large. (TNA)
