Prosecutors on Tuesday postponed to Dec 20 the indictment of Sondhi Limthongkul and other leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy in three cases.
The postponement was granted after Suwat Apaipak, a PAD lawyer, submitted a request to the prosecutors, saying Mr Sondhi needed treatment for bullet wounds he received when an attempt was made on his life on April 17, 2009. The request said Mr Sondhi was receiving treatment at Bangkok Hospital.
Prayuth P Sattayarak, a special prosecutor, said lawsuits to be filed with the Criminal Court against PAD leaders had been drafted and the suspects were originally due to report to the Office of the Attorney General for indictment today.
However, on receiving the request for postponement from Mr Suwat, who intially asked the indictments be deferred to Jan 16, the prosecutors decided to reschedule it for Dec 20.
The three cases against PAD core members are:
1. Charges against 20 PAD leaders, including Mr Sondhi, for staging a rally in front of parliament on Oct 5-7, 2008;
2. Charges against six PAD leaders, including Mr Sondhi and Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, for leading protesters in the intrusion into the Government House compound on Aug 26-31, 2008; and
3. Charges against Mr Sondhi for defaming former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra during the 193-day anti-government protest by the PAD in 2008.