FORMER protest leader and deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban and seven other defendants who were yesterday sentenced to imprisonment for mounting street protests that toppled former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in 2014 have not yet been bailed out, TV Channel 7 reported this evening (Feb. 25).
Mr. Sawat Charoenphol, a lawyer who represents Suthep, the leader People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) umbrella pressure group, said he had filed a request with the Appeal Court to consider releasing him temporarily but as of 4.40 p.m. today no order had come down to the Criminal Court to do so.
Read Earlier reports: Three minister, Suthep jailed for anti-Yingluck chaos
Chuan: Five MPs given jail terms are all out
According to the procedures if the Appeal Court’s order has not reached the Criminal Court within business hours then lawyers have come again the next day to find out whether such an order had been issued and had reached the latter court.
Aside from Suthep, the other seven defendants are Mr. Nataphol Teepsuwan, former education minister, Mr. Buddhipongse Punnakanta, former digital economy and society minister, Mr. Thaworn Senneam, former deputy transport minister, Mr. Issara Somchai, a former MP, Mr. Chumpol Chulasai, a former MP, Mr Suwit Thongprasert or Buddha Issara, a defrocked activist monk, and Mr Samdin Lertbut.
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Top: Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban. Thai headline says, “continue sleeping in jail.” Photo: TV Channel 7
Home Page: Suthep during the height of the anti-Yingluck protests in 2014. Photo: AP and published by BBC
