The five so-called "men in black," allegedly involved in 2010’s political unrest on Monday denied all charges filed against them by prosecutors.
Of the five, three are Bangkok residents: Kittisak Soomsri, 45, Chamnan Phakeechai, 45, and Punika Chusri, 39. The other two are Preecha Yuyen, 24, from Chiang Mai and Ronnarit Suricha, 33, from Ubon Ratchathani. They were arrested by metropolitan police on Sept 9.
The five were initially charged with illegal possession of military-grade weapons - including an M79 grenade launcher, M16 rifle and HK33 rifle - and carrying them in public without permission at the Khok Wua intersection, on Tanao and Prachaithipatai roads in Bovorn Niwet area of Phra Nakhon district, on April 10, 2010.
The prosecutors indicted them in the Criminal Court on Dec 4. They were brought from prisons to the court on Monday to hear and deny the charges. The court scheduled the next hearing for Feb 16.
The arrest of the five was questioned by leading members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, who insisted there were no "men in black" among their ranks.