Thursday, July 16, 2009

PAD Leaders Meet Investigators to Counter Terrorism Charges

July 16, 2009

The chief investigator for the terrorism case against the People's Alliance for Democracy pledges that all of the accused will be treated fairly and the group's petition against the charges will be taken into consideration.

Around ten thousand supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, packed the Police Club to show moral support to 36 of the group's core elements who submitted a petition to the National Police Office to object to the terrorism charges against them for their role in the alleged forced closure of Suvarnabhumi and Donmuang airports last year. The group refused to turn themselves in for the case, saying the charges against them are false.

The two PAD lawyers, Suwat Apaipak and Nititorn Lamlua, met the chief investigator for the case, Police Lieutenant General Wut Puawet , and submitted their objection statement and information against the terrorism charges.

Wut then took to the PAD's rally stage, telling its supporters he agreed that the 36 charged in the case are not terrorists and pledged his investigation team will use the information from the group's lawyers in its investigation report.

He continued that the 36 will be treated fairly and affirmed all parties will be satisfied with investigators' action as the police office must serve the public.

PAD lawyer Suwat appeared on the stage to thank Wut for assuring justice to the group and taking their complaint and information into account.

Suwat said the group's marathon rally last year was constitutional and aimed to prevent the People Power Party's government from amending the 2007 Constitution, particularly Article 237 on odisbandment of political parties whose executives are found guilty of committing a poll fraud.

He added the previous government's handover of the country's right on Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia and the controversial appointments of several state officials left his group no choice but to move their protests to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Suwat said he attached a copy of the Criminal Code's Article 135/1 on constitutional gatherings to point out that the PAD's protests are not acts of terrorism. Suwat added he wondered if red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn is eligible to file such an criminal complaint against the group. He has filed a defamation suit against Weng for such an allegation and the Criminal Court is scheduled to hold a preliminary hearing on August 10.

Suwat added even Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva also deemed the terrorism charges against the group as too harsh. The lawyer commented that the charges should be filed against the red-shirt group rather than the PAD.

Several key PAD members such as Suriyasai Katasila, General Pathompong Kesornsuk and Sawit Kaewwan later rotated to speak on the stage.

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