It is most decidedly not an anniversary to be celebrated. Monday 30 April 2012 marks a full year since Somyos Prueksakasemsuk was arrested on lese majeste charges.
It is also the day that a verdict will be handed down in the case against Chiranuch Premchaiporn. While we remain hopeful that the flimsy case against Chiranuch will fail and she will be released, it is clear that, for Somyos, the royalist judiciary is keen to lock up red shirts it sees as disloyal to the monarchy. His trial is due to finish later in the week.
PPT urges all readers to look at the profile of the case against Somyos at our page on him. Somyos remains stoic in not pleading guilty on the charges he faces, putting a broader human rights interest ahead of his own freedom.
The Bangkok Post reports that an art show and seminar were held on Sunday “to raise the issue of judicial procedures” in his case, including the tortuous procedures that see him shackled and dragged around the country in cages on wheels and repeatedly denied bail.
Update: Readers may find Chiranuch’s note before the verdict at Prachtai of interest.
