PAD leaders no-show for indictment

PAD leaders no-show for indictment

The Office of the Attorney General on Thursday ordered police investigators to bring in leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to report to it as soon as possible, after they again failed to show up for indictment in three cases scheduled for today.

The OAG issued the order after Puangthip Boonsanong and Nitithorn Lamlua, lawyers for PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul, met special case prosecutor Prayuth Sattayarak and sough another postponement of the indictment.

The OAG had scheduled today to indict PAD leaders in three cases:

1. The case against 20 leading PAD members relating to the rally in front of parliament on Oct 5-7, 2008;
2. The case against Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang and five other PAD leaders for intruding into Government House on Aug 26-31, 2008; and
3. The case against Mr Sondhi for allegedly defaming former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in his speeches on the stage during the 193-day PAD rally in 2008.

Mr Prayuth said the suspects were  dueto report to the OAG for indictment in the Criminal Court today, but none of them showed up.  Only their lawyers came to seek another postponement, having done so several times before.

The prosecutors saw no reason to allow another postponement and issued a letter commanding the investigators to bring the suspects to the OAG for indictment as soon as possible.  The police could issue a summons or ask the court to issue an arrest warrant under the Criminal Procedures Code if necessary.

Ms Puangthip, one of the lawyers, said she expected to bring the PAD leaders to report to OAG in early January.

The OAG had earlier postponed until Feb 7 next year the indictment of nine PAD leaders including Maj-Gen Chamlong and Mr Sondhi in a case of inciting rebellion, and the indictment of 114 PAD leaders and supporters on charges relating to the occupation of Bangkok's two airpoprts.

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