ID :
146137
Fri, 10/15/2010 - 14:09
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/146137
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Gen Pathompong, actress Sirilak, acknowledge charges on airports' seizure case
BANGKOK, Oct 15 - Former armed forces chief advisor retired Gen Pathompong Kesornsuk and renowned actress Sirilak "Joy" Pongchoke, who actively joined the Yellow Shirts, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) during their protest two years ago, on Friday acknowledged charges in connection with the airport seizure in late 2008 but denied any wrongdoing on their parts.
The duo turned up at the Crime Suppression Division Friday morning to acknowledge charges of blocking the country's two main airports after the court on Wednesday rejected their bid to revoke the arrest warrants issued against them.
The Yellow Shirt supporters also turned up at the Division headquarters to give them moral support, while security was tightened with commando police deployed in the area to prevent any untoward incidents.
Twelve other PAD artists who have been summoned also reported to police Friday morning.
The court earlier issued arrest warrants against the two top PAD leaders for forming an assembly of more than ten people and violating an official order and the state of emergency by closing Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in 2008. The court, however, dropped a warrant request asking for terrorism charges against the two.
Gen Pathompong and Ms Sirirak denied the charges and said they will later give their written statements on the case.
The accused added they came to acknowledge the charges as they wanted to contest the matter by the judicial process, saying the accusation is exaggerated. The duo noted that the investigators' case is incomplete as the court rejected their arrest warrant request on terrorism charges, but approved the warrants on the lighter charge for gatherings of more than ten people.
Gen Pathompong said he is unworried over the charges as what he had done was aimed at calling for true democracy and protecting the monarchy.
The retired general added he accepted Wednesday's court ruling that rejected his bid to revoke arrest warrants.
The Yellow Shirt protesters staged marathon mass protests in 2008 that led to the airports' blockade in December in an attempt to topple the Somchai Wongsawat government which they accused of being a proxy of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
The PAD's week-long airport seizure left more than 300,000 passengers stranded. The blockade was lifted in early December 2008 after the Constitution Court disbanded three parties, including the ruling People Power Party, and disqualified the party’s head and executives, automatically removing Mr Somchai from his post as prime minister.
The movement's key leaders including Sondhi Limthongkul, retired Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Phiphob Thongchai, Somsak Kosaisuuk, Somkeit Pongpaibul, Chaiwat Sindhuwong, Suriyasai Katasila, have been facing severe charges of terrorism as they spearheaded the Yellow Shirt protesters seizure of the airports. (MCOT online news)
The duo turned up at the Crime Suppression Division Friday morning to acknowledge charges of blocking the country's two main airports after the court on Wednesday rejected their bid to revoke the arrest warrants issued against them.
The Yellow Shirt supporters also turned up at the Division headquarters to give them moral support, while security was tightened with commando police deployed in the area to prevent any untoward incidents.
Twelve other PAD artists who have been summoned also reported to police Friday morning.
The court earlier issued arrest warrants against the two top PAD leaders for forming an assembly of more than ten people and violating an official order and the state of emergency by closing Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in 2008. The court, however, dropped a warrant request asking for terrorism charges against the two.
Gen Pathompong and Ms Sirirak denied the charges and said they will later give their written statements on the case.
The accused added they came to acknowledge the charges as they wanted to contest the matter by the judicial process, saying the accusation is exaggerated. The duo noted that the investigators' case is incomplete as the court rejected their arrest warrant request on terrorism charges, but approved the warrants on the lighter charge for gatherings of more than ten people.
Gen Pathompong said he is unworried over the charges as what he had done was aimed at calling for true democracy and protecting the monarchy.
The retired general added he accepted Wednesday's court ruling that rejected his bid to revoke arrest warrants.
The Yellow Shirt protesters staged marathon mass protests in 2008 that led to the airports' blockade in December in an attempt to topple the Somchai Wongsawat government which they accused of being a proxy of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
The PAD's week-long airport seizure left more than 300,000 passengers stranded. The blockade was lifted in early December 2008 after the Constitution Court disbanded three parties, including the ruling People Power Party, and disqualified the party’s head and executives, automatically removing Mr Somchai from his post as prime minister.
The movement's key leaders including Sondhi Limthongkul, retired Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Phiphob Thongchai, Somsak Kosaisuuk, Somkeit Pongpaibul, Chaiwat Sindhuwong, Suriyasai Katasila, have been facing severe charges of terrorism as they spearheaded the Yellow Shirt protesters seizure of the airports. (MCOT online news)
