AFTER THE Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for activist and protest leader Mr. Parit Chivarak, or Penguin, for failing to show up to hear the verdict in case on violating the lese majeste law, or Section 112 of the Criminal Code, and Computer Crimes Act, a popular Internet commentator confirmed that he has fled, Naewna newspaper said this afternoon (June 25).
Although both the prosecutors and the defendant’s lawyer came to the court at the appointed time, the defendant did not show up.
His lawyer told the judge that he did not know what prevented Parit from coming to hear the verdict and he could not be reached.
Parit has denied the charges and was released on bail.
In issuing the arrest warrant, the court said the defendant did not come to the court despite knowing the date and the time of the hearing and did not give not give any reason for not doing so.
The hearing was then postponed to 9 a.m. on July 31, 2024.
However later well-know Internet commentator Jjookklong3 posted a message on X confirming that Parit has fled and wondered what responsibility the Thammasat University professor who was his guarantor would have to face.
“Today is just the first of 25 cases he faces, why would he not flee,” Jjookklong3 wrote.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Penguin, centre, and other protest leaders giving the three-finger salute during a rally on September 20, 2020. Photo: Thai Rath
Front Page: Penguin waving recently. Photo: Thai Rath
Also read: Thaksin freed on bail in lese majeste lawsuit which could linger for years
Move Forward MP gets 2 years in jail in lese majeste case
PM mum on Swedish lobby on air force’s fighter purchase plan
Many big names tipped to be voted senators
Sudarat dares Pheu Thai to promise to not scrap party-list mode
4 Hong Kongers caught with 14kg heroin at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Move to close Pattaya motorbike stand after riders assault tourist
