Jailed red shirt leaders refused bail

MCOT News reports that the “Criminal Court on Tuesday dismissed bail requests for seven key Red Shirt leaders and allies who have been detained for more than six months on terrorism-related charges…”.

Acting chairperson of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Thida Tawornsate Tojirakarn and UDD lawyers appeared at the court to submit bail documents for the seven detainees: Natthawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakan, Korkaew Pikulthong, Kwanchai Praiphana, Yoswaris Chuklom aka Jeng Dokchik, Nisit Sinthuprai and Wiputhalaeng Pattanaphumthai.

It is reported that Thida “had prepared Bt3 million (US$100,000) bail bond for each detainee, altogether Bt21 million…”. The case made was that “as the state of emergency was lifted in Bangkok and two adjacent provinces, while the national reconciliation process is underway, the bail granting for the seven Red Shirts will provide an opportunity for all parties to enter the reconciliation process. The seven detainees also pledged in their documents that they would neither obstruct the national reconciliation process nor threaten national security and would not attempt to escape once they were released.”

Apparently the documents included “recommendation papers on the temporary release of the detained leaders from the independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Thailand and the Justice Ministry’s Rights and Liberties Protection Department.”

The court dismissed the requests, “saying there were no grounds to overturn the previous decision of the Appeals Court which refused to grant bail for fear of their possible flight due to the severe charges which carry a heavy penalty.”It is added that: “Most Red Shirt leaders, charged with terrorism, were denied bail as the court expressed concern regarding their possible flight. Only former UDD chair Veera Musikapong was released on Bt6 million bail with condition that he was barred from joining any political gatherings, being interviewed and travelling outside Bangkok.”

An appeal is expected.