THE Justice Ministry said today (March 16) that two detained protest leaders were taken for a coronavirus test at night and not to be killed despite a letter written by also detained lawyer Anon Nampha voicing fear about their safety, Thai Rath newspaper said.
Mr. Thanakrit Chitarirat, secretary to Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin, said he has ordered an investigation over Anon’s hand-written letter saying that his co-protest leaders Mr. Panupong Chadnok, or Mike, and Mr. Jarupat Boonpattararaksa, or Phai Dao Din, were taken out of the controlled zone at night and he thinks their lives are at risk.
The Corrections Department had now sent a detailed report on this incident. They stated that Anon had written this letter while acting as a lawyer in another case and then sent it to his friends to post on their personal webpage. This is because detainees and inmates are not allowed to use the telephone.
The department added that according to the procedures when inmates and detainees are brought to the prison, even after a visit to the hospital or to the court for a hearing, they have to be quarantined for 14 days.
Regarding Mike and Phai Dao Din, who were transferred from Thonburi Remand Prison which is highly congested, screening was required to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Mike and Phai Dao Din, together with Mr. Piyarat Jongthep, or Toto, had yesterday petitioned the court to be moved back to Bangkok Remand Prison from Thonburi Remand Prison.
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Top and Home Page: Lawyer Anon Nampha giving the three-finger salute. Photo: Thai Rath
