Accused timber poachers get bail

Accused timber poachers get bail

State puts up 6.3 million baht surety

The Rights and Liberties Protection Department and the 3rd Army have obtained court approval for the release on bail of 16 accused timber poachers in Mae Hong Son’s Mae Sariang district.

The state agencies put up the bail for 19 suspects as part of the government’s policy to provide just treatment to more than 700 poor people who have been arrested under a campaign to evict encroachers on forest and public land.

The suspects, who live in Ban Thung Pa Kha in Mae Sariang district, have been charged with illegally possessing protected wood.

The department and the 3rd Army helped chip in 6.3 million baht to back a bail release for the group because the suspects did not have the money, said Chanchao Chaiyanukit, deputy permanent secretary for justice.

However, the court approved bail for only 16 of the suspects because the offences committed by the other three carried high penalties, which requires the Appeals Court to approve their release, he said.

“We hope, after their release, they will keep their word and prepare themselves for their legal fight when the matter goes to court,” Mr Chanchao said.

The Justice Ministry’s legal assistance for the group was also timed to coincide with His Majesty the King’s birthday today, he said.

The 16 villagers are the first group of 738 detainees nationwide whose qualifications meet the Justice Ministry’s bail release criteria. Their alleged crimes must not be severe and the penalties must not involve jail terms of more than 10 years.

The court of justice has so far approved the temporary release of 130 suspects on bail which has cost the ministry more than 19 million baht in total, Mr Chanchao said.

The suspects were being released gradually as of Wednesday and the ministry is expected to provide the rest with temporary freedom through bail later this month.

The Justice Ministry would gauge public reaction to the scheme before coming up with additional assistance, he said.

The ministry was funding the bail requests from the Justice Fund, which was set up to help people cope with legal disputes.

The cabinet recently approved a bill to expand the fund’s coverage to other areas of assistance, Mr Chanchao added.

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