ID :
129518
Thu, 06/24/2010 - 17:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/129518
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Court grants Red Shirt leader temporary release to register election
BANGKOK, June 24 (TNA) - Thailand’s Criminal Court on Thursday approved a temporary release of detained Red Shirt leader Korkaew Pikulthong on June 28 to register his candidacy in the upcoming Bangkok by-election.
The court decision came after a lawyer representing the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) sought the court order to release Mr Korkaew temporarily, saying the detainee will return to prison once his candidacy registration for the by-election is done.
The opposition Puea Thai Party on Wednesday resolved to nominate Mr Korkaew as its candidate in the July 25 by-election in Bangkok's Constituency 6 to replace the vacant seat of late Democrat MP Thiwa Ngernyuang who died of cancer on June 11.
Mr Korkaew, charged with terrorism together with many of his fellow Red Shirt leaders, is now being detained and denied bail at Bangkok Remand Prison.
Earlier UDD lawyer Karom Ponthaklang sought a court order to release Mr Korkaew, saying the detainee is still only accused and remains legally innocent until the court delivers its verdict.
Mr Karom said he has prepared three witnesses to testify in court, including Puea Thai Party leader Yongyuth Vichaidit, party secretary-general Sunee Luangwichit and a member of the party's legal staff.
Documents certifying the party resolution to field Mr Korkaew to contest the by-election is also prepared to prove that the detained leader will not try to flee, said Mr Karom.
The Opposition was earlier expected to nominate UDD leader Natthawut Saikua, as proposed by his fellow leader Jatuporn Prompan, who is also a Puea Thai MP.
Mr Natthawat who is now being detained and denied bail at Klong Prem Prison following terrorism charges was not selected, however, for fear that he might not be eligible as he is not a native of Bangkok but of Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Mr Korkaew must contest against rival Democrat Party candidate Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Panich Vikitsreth for the vacant seat. (TNA)
The court decision came after a lawyer representing the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) sought the court order to release Mr Korkaew temporarily, saying the detainee will return to prison once his candidacy registration for the by-election is done.
The opposition Puea Thai Party on Wednesday resolved to nominate Mr Korkaew as its candidate in the July 25 by-election in Bangkok's Constituency 6 to replace the vacant seat of late Democrat MP Thiwa Ngernyuang who died of cancer on June 11.
Mr Korkaew, charged with terrorism together with many of his fellow Red Shirt leaders, is now being detained and denied bail at Bangkok Remand Prison.
Earlier UDD lawyer Karom Ponthaklang sought a court order to release Mr Korkaew, saying the detainee is still only accused and remains legally innocent until the court delivers its verdict.
Mr Karom said he has prepared three witnesses to testify in court, including Puea Thai Party leader Yongyuth Vichaidit, party secretary-general Sunee Luangwichit and a member of the party's legal staff.
Documents certifying the party resolution to field Mr Korkaew to contest the by-election is also prepared to prove that the detained leader will not try to flee, said Mr Karom.
The Opposition was earlier expected to nominate UDD leader Natthawut Saikua, as proposed by his fellow leader Jatuporn Prompan, who is also a Puea Thai MP.
Mr Natthawat who is now being detained and denied bail at Klong Prem Prison following terrorism charges was not selected, however, for fear that he might not be eligible as he is not a native of Bangkok but of Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Mr Korkaew must contest against rival Democrat Party candidate Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Panich Vikitsreth for the vacant seat. (TNA)
