Pheu Thai Party key figure Watana Muangsook has denied he is inciting public disorder by encouraging supporters to turn up for a mass gathering in support of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra on her court verdict day next month.
The former commerce minister has vowed he will show up at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Tuesday when Ms Yingluck delivers her closing statement in the rice pledging trial and again on Aug 25 when the court hands down its ruling.
"I'll turn up on those days unless I am under arrest and detained. [If that's the case] I'll give her my support from the cell," Mr Watana wrote on his Facebook page yesterday.
His comment comes amid a new report that police were seeking arrest warrants against him and two others on suspicion they had provoked rebellion, an offence under the Criminal Code.
A police team from the Special Branch Bureau has reportedly filed a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) against the three.
The charge is being considered based on Mr Watana's messages posted on his Facebook page from July 19-26. The Pheu Thai member has criticised the government and urged members of the public to come out to support Ms Yingluck.
In defending himself, Mr Watana said extending moral support to Ms Yingluck is freedom of expression and urging others to do so is not illegal.
"They aren't being urged to abolish the law or the government or instigate chaos or troubles or to do anything illegal. They are being asked to give Ms Yingluck support. It's something traditional, which is exempted by the public gathering law," he wrote.
He clarified that his criticism of the regime is an expression of opinions towards public figures and their work, which constitutes free speech under the constitution.
In his Facebook message, Mr Watana also accused the regime of abusing the law to intimidate him into silence.
Pol Col Chakrit Sawatdee, deputy CSD commander, said investigators are in the process of gathering more evidence.
He said police have not issued summonses for Mr Watana to hear the charges, which may also include alleged violations of the computer crime law caused by the message being posted on social media.
In response to Mr Watana's latest message, government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the government recognises freedom of expression but urged Ms Yingluck's supporters to stay home.
"Don't let politicians lead you to stir up public disorder. And I'd like to tell those who urge others to come out that the regime will not let that happen because it will create trouble," he said.
