Single mother jailed 7 years for Facebook post

Single mother jailed 7 years for Facebook post

A single mother was given a seven-year prison term for lese majeste and sedition, her lawyer confirmed on Wednesday.

Thanathorn Thananon, a lawyer for the group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, told the German Press Agency on Wednesday that his client, identified only as Chayapha, was convicted by a military court for sedition and lese majeste.

"The defendant was originally called in and charged with sedition for posting on Facebook that a counter-coup against the junta was imminent," the lawyer said.

"Further investigation by the authorities found content that brought about lese majeste charges."

The courts handed down a 14-year sentence on Tuesday but commuted it to seven years because the defendant pleaded guilty.

Chayapha is divorced from her husband and is the mother of a 14-year-old.

No lawyer for the defendant was present at the Military Court.

"We were only informed of the ruling after the fact. The military courts failed to inform us that a hearing was taking place. They only told the defendant to appear at short notice," Mr Thanathorn said.

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