ID :
146144
Fri, 10/15/2010 - 19:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/146144
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Five more Yellow Shirt arrest warrants issued for airport seizure
BANGKOK, Oct 15 - Thailand's Criminal Court on Friday issued arrest warrants for five key members and supporters of the yellow-clad People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for their active role in the 2008 airport seizure, while two of the five were also charged with terrorism.
The court's decision came as investigators of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) sought the court approval to issue the arrest warrants against the five men, citing possible flight as the accused failed to report to police after being summoned.
The five persons are People's Assembly of Thailand secretary-general Chaiwat Sinsuwong, People's Network against Corruption secretary-general Veera Somkwamkid, former Yasothon senator Somboon Thongburan and other two allies Tonfun Saengarthit and Somchai Wongvech who joined the Yellow Shirts airport occupation two years ago.
The Yellow Shirts staged rallies in 2008 to oust the then governments of Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat whom they considered as proxies of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Their marathon protests led to a nine-day blockade and occupation of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in late November to early December, leaving more than 300,000 tourists and business visitors stranded, denting the kingdom's tourist-friendly image.
The court said investigators had sought its approval for summonses against the five accused but they kept delaying their reporting to officials and submitted only their written statements. The five refused to turn themselves in to investigators, an action which is considered as possible flight, said the court.
A Thai News Agency reporter said investigators have filed 13 charges against the five men, but arrest warrants have been issued for some charges such as assembling of more than ten people, acting to cause disturbance on property owned by others, as well as committing an action which damages communication and traffic system.
Only Mr Chaiwat and Mr Veera have been charged with terrorism.
Nataporn Toprayoon, a lawyer representing the PAD defendants, said on Friday that he has appealed seeking to revoke the arrest warrants of his clients, saying he will explain the court that the five have no intention to escape prosecution and have already informed the postponement to the investigators.
Mr Nataporn said the court decision on his request is expected Monday and he will then consider how to fight the case. (MCOT online news)
The court's decision came as investigators of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) sought the court approval to issue the arrest warrants against the five men, citing possible flight as the accused failed to report to police after being summoned.
The five persons are People's Assembly of Thailand secretary-general Chaiwat Sinsuwong, People's Network against Corruption secretary-general Veera Somkwamkid, former Yasothon senator Somboon Thongburan and other two allies Tonfun Saengarthit and Somchai Wongvech who joined the Yellow Shirts airport occupation two years ago.
The Yellow Shirts staged rallies in 2008 to oust the then governments of Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat whom they considered as proxies of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Their marathon protests led to a nine-day blockade and occupation of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in late November to early December, leaving more than 300,000 tourists and business visitors stranded, denting the kingdom's tourist-friendly image.
The court said investigators had sought its approval for summonses against the five accused but they kept delaying their reporting to officials and submitted only their written statements. The five refused to turn themselves in to investigators, an action which is considered as possible flight, said the court.
A Thai News Agency reporter said investigators have filed 13 charges against the five men, but arrest warrants have been issued for some charges such as assembling of more than ten people, acting to cause disturbance on property owned by others, as well as committing an action which damages communication and traffic system.
Only Mr Chaiwat and Mr Veera have been charged with terrorism.
Nataporn Toprayoon, a lawyer representing the PAD defendants, said on Friday that he has appealed seeking to revoke the arrest warrants of his clients, saying he will explain the court that the five have no intention to escape prosecution and have already informed the postponement to the investigators.
Mr Nataporn said the court decision on his request is expected Monday and he will then consider how to fight the case. (MCOT online news)
