Accused of repeating Daranee's speeches
MANOP THIP-OSOD
Police yesterday obtained a warrant for the arrest of People's Alliance for Democracy core leader Sondhi Limthongkul on a charge of repeating lese majeste uttered by a government supporter. The warrant was approved by the Criminal Court.
At the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), deputy police chief Jongrak Juthanont announced that a warrant had been issued for the arrest of Mr Sondhi.
Pol Gen Jongrak promised Mr Sondhi would be treated fairly and would be allowed to surrender himself to police.
Mr Sondhi is expected to turn himself in to answer the charges this morning.
MPB commissioner Aswin Khwanmuang said PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila had confirmed Mr Sondhi would show up at the bureau at 9am today.
Pol Gen Jongrak said it was up to the MPB to decide if Mr Sondhi should be granted bail.
Police sought a warrant for the arrest after the PAD leader allegedly repeated lese majeste speeches delivered by Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul, or Da Torpedo, at a rally organised by the pro-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) late last week.
Police said repeating such remarks also constituted lese majeste, under Article 112 of the Criminal Code.
Ms Daranee was remanded at Bang Khen Central Women's Prison on Tuesday after she was denied bail.
Pol Lt-Gen Aswin said he would apply a single standard in handling the Sondhi and Daranee cases. The commissioner was responding to questions about whether police would oppose a bail request posted by Mr Sondhi, as they did that by Ms Daranee.
Pol Lt-Col Surasak Singkrai, deputy chief of the Dusit police station, said evidence against Mr Sondhi was a videotape recording of his address at the PAD's rally on Ratchadamnoen avenue last Sunday.
Pol Lt-Gen Aswin said lese majeste was a serious offence punishable by a prison term exceeding three years.
Assistant Prof Suthachai Yimprasert of Chulalongkorn University's faculty of arts yesterday asked the court to allow him to bail out Ms Daranee, using his position as a civil servant.
The lecturer said he was a close friend of hers.
Police opposed the lecturer's request, telling the court they were worried Ms Daranee may flee if granted bail.
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