Case

Case name

Relatives of political violence victims distributed leaflets

Status of Accused

served penalty

Offense / order

Others (Violating Section 10 of the Sanitaion Act)

Summary

31 August 2014, police officer arrested Phayao and Nattapat Akkahad and Punsak Sritep after they spreaed out leaflets asking for justice. They were fined under the the Sanitation Act.

Basic information

Legal Claims

Others (-)

Form of restriction on freedom

Charge filed
Type of media

Public Assembly
Province

Bangkok

Details of offence according to charge

On 31 August 2014, the group of relatives of people killed during the crackdown carried out an activity at the BTS Mo-Chit station and the MRT Chatuchak station by distributing leaflets demanding for justice from a "People's Court".

This activity was held after the Criminal Court dismissed that case that the public prosecuter filed against Abhisit Vejjajiva, the ex-Prime Minister, and Suthep Thaugsuban for intentionally murder from ordering the disperse of the demonstration. The Criminal Court ruled that this case is under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Person Holding Political Positions.

Circumstance of arrest

Military officers and police, both in uniform and in plainclothes, have taken con-trolled over the area around the BTS Mo-Chit station and the MRT Chatuchak station and apprehended Pansak, Payao and Nathaphat after they spread out the leaflets.

Progress of case

31 August 2014

Around 11.40 am, Deputy Metropolitan Police Chief Pol Maj Gen Amnuay Nimmano reported at Bang Sue police station regarding the case of the arrest of the three relatives that they were initially charged with defamation by means of publication as the distributed leaflet is deemed to defame not only Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva and Mr Suthep Thaugsuban, defendants in a case recently disposed by a court, but also Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, Gen Anuphong Paochinda and Gen Daphong Rattanasuwan who were not involved in the case.

Around 1.50 pm, Payao Akkahad, her son Nathaphat, and Pansak Srithep were still detained at Bang Sue police station after conducting the leaflet-dropping activity calling for justice from the authorities while the military’s Judge Advocate was considering if the act was deemed to be a defiance of the NCPO orders.

Around 4.45 pm, a volunteer lawyer from ‘Free Thai Legal Aid’ group reported that the three were charged with violating the Sanitation Act 1992 together with a fine of not exceeding 5000 Baht.

For the offence of defamation by means of publication, it depends on the parties referred on the leaflet whether they would file any complaint. In the same day, the three were asked to adjust their understanding and not to stage this kind of political activity before they were released without further detention.

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