Three more core leaders of the Ratsadon group and 15 other protesters have been summoned to appear before public prosecutors on Wednesday, to be indicted for alleged crimes committed during the protests at Thammasat University and Sanam Luang on September 19th and 20th.
Noraseth Nanongtoom, a lawyer at the Centre for Human Rights Lawyers, said today that the three, namely Panasaya Sitthijirawattanakul, Panupong Jardnok, alias Mike Rayong, and Chatupat Boonpattharaksa, alias Pai Daodin, have been charged with lèse majesté and other offences.
He said he will appeal to the prosecutors to delay the indictment of all 18 accused, until police question more defence witnesses, and will arrange for several lecturers and MPs from the Kao Klai party to act as bail guarantors for all the accused.
It depends on the court, however, whether bail will be granted, especially for the three core leaders who are on several charges of committing lèse majesté and could be considered to be repeat offenders by the court.
Previously, four other Ratsadon core leaders, namely Parit Chiwarak, Anon Nampa, Somyos Prueksakasemsook and Patiwat Saraiyaem, were denied bail by both the Criminal and Appeals Court on the grounds that they are repeat offenders and, if released, they may attempt to escape.
