Examination of PAD cases postponed

Examination of PAD cases postponed

The Criminal Court has postponed until Dec 2 the examination of evidence and testimonies from the 96 People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) defendants charged in eight separate cases over the seizure of Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports in November and December 2008.

The defendants are charged with offences including terrorism, illegal assembly, use of violence to create unrest, and violation of emergency law and the Aviation Act.

Examination of evidence and testimonies was originally scheduled for Monday.

Of the 96 defendants, 93 including Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang and Sondhi Limthongkul attended court as scheduled. But three defendants were unable to make the court appearance, one due to illness and two due to urgent personal business.

Since three of the defendants were unable to attend and many of the others are yet to appoint lawyers for their defence, the court postponed the examination of evidence and testimonies to Dec 2, given the fact that the most serious charges carry sanctions including the death penalty.

The court also decided to combine the eight cases into one, because they will use much of the same witnesses and evidence.

All defendants have been ordered not to do anything which may be deemed an incitement of unrest, and are prohibited from travelling abroad without court permission.

Maj Gen Chamlong said he would call a meeting of PAD's core members tomorrow to discuss political activities of various groups against an amnesty bill.

He expected the PAD to make a resolution on its stance on the issue at tomorrow's meeting.

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