The attorney-general will announce on March 21 whether to charge Chaturon Chaisang and two Pheu Thai core members with sedition over their briefing criticising the government’s performance last year.
Mr Chaturon, former chief policymaker of Pheu Thai, along with Watana Muangsook, a former minister, and Chusak Sirinil, legal chief of the party, was accused of collaborating to dishonestly express opinions to incite the public under Section 116 of the Penal Code.
Party executives planned to hold a briefing titled “Four Years of Failure of Government and NCPO Leading to Darkness and Dangers” at the party’s head office on May 17 last year. Before they could begin, security officials asked for their "cooperation" since it was considered an assembly of more than five, which was prohibited by one of the junta's orders at the time.
The party agreed and let Mr Chaturon, Mr Watana and Mr Chusak spoke for it and handed out details in writing to reporters.
However, the National Council for Peace and Order later filed the complaint against the trio. Police sent the case to the Office of the Attorney-General on Oct 17 last year. The office delayed the decision twice.
Mr Chaturon is now the chief strategist of Thai Raksa Chart. Mr Watana is now an MP candidate for Bangkok’s Bang Khae district and Mr Chusak is a party-list MP candidate of Pheu Thai.
If convicted, they will face jail terms up to seven years. As a result, they will be banned from running as MP for 10 years after doing time.