LESE MAJESTE CHARGE
POST REPORTERS
Political motives are behind the arrest of social critic Sulak Sivaraksa on a lese majeste charge, his lawyer said yesterday.
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| ulak: Taken to Khon Kaen |
Mr Sulak was arrested at his home in Bangkok by Khon Kaen police on Thursday for making remarks deemed to constitute lese majeste during his speech to new students at Khon Kaen University on Dec 11 last year. The arrest warrant was issued in the northeastern province on Sept 22.
Mr Sulak denied the charge after being taken to Khon Kaen for interrogation yesterday. Afterwards, the dean of the university's law faculty, Kittibordee Yaipool, bailed him out.
Lawyer Somchai Homla-or questioned the timing of the arrest as it took place after his client had criticised convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
In a statement sent to the media yesterday, Mr Sulak called Thaksin's remarks made to his supporters at Rajamangala Stadium last Saturday highly inappropriate. Thaksin, a fugitive from justice, said that either a royal pardon from His Majesty the King or "people power" would enable him to return home.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Oct 21 sentenced Thaksin to two years in jail for conflict of interest under the national anti-corruption law when he was government leader by helping his wife, Khunying Potjaman, clinch the bid on a prime piece of land on Ratchadaphisek road in 2003.
Mr Somchai said his client's remarks made in Khon Kaen last year did not insult His Majesty. Mr Sulak had been followed by police to every venue where he was a participant, the lawyer said, raising questions as to why the arrest came yesterday.
Pairote Jachoenrum, Mr Sulak's secretary, echoed Mr Somchai's view, saying the arrest was motivated by attempts to silence critics of Thaksin. Mr Sulak's speech at the university at the time was in academic mode, he added.
He slammed police for dragging their feet on attempts to take action against people loyal to Thaksin who also faced lese majeste cases.
One of them was Suchart Nakbangsai, a member of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship, for whom an arrest warrant was issued on Oct 17.
He was seen joining the pro-government group in Chiang Mai but police did not seem too keen to arrest him, Mr Pairote added.
Mr Sulak refused to make any comment after the interrogation in the northeastern province.
Pol Col Katcha Thatsart, deputy provincial police chief of Khon Kaen, said an arrest warrant had been issued for Mr Sulak. The arrest was made after police were certain of his whereabouts.
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