Human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa, who is appealing a four-year sentence for royal defamation, has had a second request for bail denied, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR).
The Court of Appeal ruled on Monday that given the gravity of the charges against Mr Arnon, and the possibility that he might seek to flee if released, it saw no reason to change the original order denying release on bail.
Mr Arnon’s lawyers had argued that their client was acting as a lawyer for defendants in courts in Bangkok and other provinces in more than 39 cases, and had no intention to flee.
As well, they noted that the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court had allowed the activist to travel to South Korea in May to receive the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, and he returned to Thailand and reported to the court.
Mr Arnon has been detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison since his sentencing on Sept 26 in connection with a speech he made at a pro-democracy rally in October 2020.
He is still facing 13 other charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese-majeste law.
According to data from TLHR to Aug 31 this year, 1,925 people have been prosecuted for political participation and expression since the beginning of the Free Youth protests in July 2020. At least 257 are facing lese-majeste charges under Section 112 and 130 have been charged with sedition under Section 116.
In a related development, TLHR reported that the Ratchadaphisek Criminal Court has convicted three activists of contempt of court for speeches given during a protest in 2021.
Bencha Apan, Nutchanon Pairoj and Somyot Pruksakasemsuk had joined a gathering in front of the Criminal Court on April 30, 2021 to demand the release of people detained pending trial for lese-majeste.
Lawyers for the three said their speeches did not mention specific judges but criticised the judicial system for denying bail to political prisoners.
However, the court found the speeches insulting and said the trio’s comments about the court’s use of discretion did not constitute criticism made in good faith.
Ms Benja and Ms Nutchanon were sentenced to three years in prison for contempt of court, and another six months for violating the Emergency Decree that was in effect at the time. Because they gave useful testimony, the court reduced their total sentence to 1 year and 8 months, suspended for two years.
Mr Somyot was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months, later reduced to 1 year, 8 months and 40 days. He was subsequently granted bail while he appeals the ruling.