Court tipped to free protester students

Court tipped to free protester students

Panadda confident they had no hidden agenda

Public criticism of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has risen because of the arrest of the
Public criticism of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has risen because of the arrest of the "Bangkok 14" students, followed by protests at the Bangkok Remand Prison and on social media. (Post Today)

Speculation is mounting the military court will release the 14 arrested students of the New Democracy Movement (NDM) when it decides their fate tomorrow.

The speculation started after positive comments from Prime Minister's Office Minister ML Panadda Diskul on Saturday regarding their arrest.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also said he has made a suggestion to the "judicial side" on how to handle the issue.

The students were arrested on June 26 following their rally against the military regime.

The 12-day detention period is set to expire tomorrow and it was originally believed that authorities would ask the military court to detain the students for another 12 days.

The arrests have drawn mounting criticism from both local and international human rights defenders.

Krisadang Nutcharut, a lawyer for the detainees, said the government's latest comments, especially those from ML Panadda, are promising and indicate that authorities seem to have a better understanding about the students.

In a press interview on Saturday, ML Panadda claimed all relevant parties including Gen Prayut, see the students as a source of purity and recognise their political rights.

The minister himself also expressed confidence the students had no hidden agenda.

Mr Krisadang said he is willing to deliver a message to the students if the government wants to find a resolution.

He is scheduled to attend the questioning of the detainees today at Bangkok Remand Prison.

"I'm asking the authorities to make it clear if they want to find a solution. I can take the message to the students who need to be assured the government will follow the roadmap and return power to the people. I think they will respond [if the government proposal is in accordance with their demand]," he said.

Mr Krisadang said he and other lawyers are gathering information to oppose further detention by the authorities.

One of the arguments is they are not a flight risk and the authorities have been monitoring their activities.

Speaking upon his return from Japan, Gen Prayut said the government has done nothing outside the law against the student activists, stressing the arrests were made because they had violated a National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ban on political gatherings.

The prime minister also pointed out he has executive powers, not judicial powers, when asked about the case and calls for the students' release.

However, Gen Prayut said he had made suggestions to the judicial side on how to handle the case.

When a legal case enters the justice system it should be handled in line with proper procedures, he said.

On Sunday, NCPO spokesman Winthai Suvaree declined to comment on reports Gen Prayut, also the NCPO chief, was preparing to release the students to ease the pressure on the government.

He also refused to respond to calls for the students to stand trial in a civilian court, instead of the military court.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was adamant on Sunday that he has treated the arrests according to the law, but then admitted he had "suggested" to the military courts how judges should treat the students when they appear on Tuesday. (Photo by Thanarak Khunton)

Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, deputy government spokesman, also declined to comment on the alleged release, but noted the prime minister has always emphasised the importance of enforcing the law.

Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said the arrests were made because the students violated the Criminal Code and the NCPO's ban on political meetings.

Also Sunday, Suriyasai Katasila, a lecturer at Rangsit University's College of Social Innovation and the leader of the Green Politics group, called on the NCPO and the government to handle student protests with care, saying some protests are staged to oppose public policies.

He also urged the student activists who campaign for social and economic justice to be careful and not to be manipulated or exploited by groups with a political agenda.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (7)