Sunday, March 15, 2015

Thai anti-coup activists ask for trial to be moved to civilian court

Four anti-coup activists added their voices to the chorus opposing the extensive reach of military courts in Thailand. The activists, Arnon Numpa, Sirawith Sertiwat, Punsak Srithep, and Wannakiat Choosuwan, are members of the Resistant Citizen group and were arrested at a protest on February 14. They are charged with violating directives against anti-coup activities and political assembly and are slated to be tried in the military court. The four filed a petition with the Supreme Court asking to be tried in the Criminal Court as civilians. They will also stage a 50 kilometer walk in protest. Nattapach Akhad, whose brother died during the 2010 protests, was at the Supreme Court to offer the activists his support. Akhad told the Bangkok Post, "This government had a direct role in the fatal dispersal of protesters in May 2010 . . . [but] not one military officer has been brought to justice for the blood spilt during the crackdown."

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