Two red-shirts acquitted of terrorism

[Khun Don]

Two red-shirts acquitted of terrorism
Published: 27/07/2011 at 11:05 AM
Online news:


The Samut Prakan Court has acquitted two Samrong residents of terrorism-related charges pressed against them after the May 19, 2010 political violence.

It is the first court verdict on terrorism charges resulting from the red-shirt violence last year.

Decisions are still pending against 19 core leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and about 15 other detainees, whose charges have have been packaged as one case.

The judicial process for the 34 terrorism defendants is due to begin in August next year.

The trial of Pichet Thabutda, 52, aka DJ Toy, who was a core leader of the Chak Thong Rop (Warrior Flag Group) and the only defendant in the Ubon Ratchathani incidents charged with terrorism, has already finished. The Ubon Ratchathani Court is scheduled to delive its verdict in this case in September.

The Samut Prakan Court on Tuesday formally convicted and then halved the four-year sentence given to Virasak (whose last name was suppressed), 37, and Ekarin Boonniran, 25, on arson charges because they had confessed both during questioning and during the court trial.

The two men were acquitted of violating the Emergency Decree and of terrorism charges.

Their lawyers said they will consult with their clients on whether to appeal the two-year sentence and how to deal with the possible appeal by the prosecutor on the terrorism charge.

Virasak admitted driving a motorcycle while Ekarin sat behind him on the night of May 19 last year. Virasak's father Suchart, 56, said he was worried about the possible state appeal on his son's terrorism charge.

"I have to take care of his two daughters who are now in Prathom 6 and Matthayom 3 as his girlfriend left him after he was arrested and then imprisoned. I'm counting the days until my son can be released, and hoping there are no further complications," said Mr Suchart.

He said Virasak had earned a living by driving a motorcycle taxi and helping out at nearby vegetable stalls in Samrong market.

"He did not attend the red-shirted protest, but just happened to follow a group of other motorcyclists, who perhaps were listeners to the Poojao Samingprai community radio. But then they were all chased away by the police at the Esso petrol station U-turn near Samrong market," Virasak's father said.

He said his son did not believe that Ekarin was the one who threw the bottle filled with fuel at the Bangkok Bank Samrong Branch. After all, there were so many angry people that night, he said.

"The terrorism charge is too much, we're discouraged by this heavy charge," said Mr Suchart. His view was shared by Ekarin's mother, who simply said she was very stressed about the future of her son, who prior to his arrest was working as an employee at a private company.

Ekarin, who was the first defendant, was arrested at the night of May 19, 2010. The mayhem was seen in other provinces including the Northeastern and Northern provinces, Nonthaburi, and Pathum Thani which were placed under the Emergency Decree after the government succeeded in dispersing the UDD-led protests in Bangkok which began on March 12 last year.

Virasak, the second defendant, turned himself in a month later to the police. The two confessed to the two charges, but pleaded not guilty to the terrorism charge.

Defence lawyers had argued that it was not arson as charged by the prosecutor as there was no actual fire started.

Instead the offence should fall into the category of attempting to ignite a fire. The Bangkok Bank Samrong branch manager said during the defence cross-examination months ago that the bank's steel rolling gate remained usable and nothing was set ablaze.

The violence during the prolonged protest last year resulted in 92 deaths -- mainly protesters, but also soldiers and police, journalists and innocent civilians - with many hundreds of people injured.

The judicial process relating to the deaths has still not begun.

BANGKOK POST

[visionchaser45]

"It is the first court verdict on terrorism charges resulting from the red-shirt violence last year." Why is this being labeled "red shirt violence"? I seem to recall that green shirt violence preceeded red shirt violence.

[kfchugo]

How many people are in prison as a result of the airport blockade? It seems that Abhisits government are vehement about prosecuting any and every redshirt transgression, but others are treated much more kindly. Hopefully, the new government will address some of these inequities.

[Tim]

Why is this being labeled "red shirt violence"? I seem to recall that green shirt violence preceeded red shirt violence.

There certainly was red-shirt violence. Criminal minority factions within or associated with the red-shirts spent months stockpiling major weapons caches in Bangkok for the express purpose of inciting violence. Overreactions by the military and others are also to be condemned, of course, but it's obvious the criminals wanted and repeatedly tried to push the often poorly-trained troops to do exactly that. Being an apologist for those violent criminals is a huge disservice to the majority of red-shirts who neither took part in nor wanted violence.