The activists’ defense lawyers have likened their case to the arrests and military court trial of 18 student activists in October 1976, a flashpoint moment in the country’s long struggle for democracy.
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The 14 students will face a military court on Tuesday (Jul 7) as their incarceration period has expired and requires an extension by the judges. The program also said some have been involved in sporadic anti-coup protests staged in front of Bangkok’s Arts and Culture Center, near the place pro-activists and anti-government notes were posted on the weekend. They’ve vowed to continue gathering in front of the jail until all the activists are unconditionally released – or until they are likewise persecuted on the grounds of illegal political assembly.
Under Thai law, people can be held a maximum of 48 days without formal charges. Journalists weren’t allowed to enter the courtroom. Detention is preventing them from fighting their case…
In a June 25 rally, the students wrapped Bangkok’s Democracy Monument in black cloth and called for the junta to “get out”.
They face charges of sedition and violating the junta’s ban on political gatherings of more than five people, which carry penalties of up to seven and a half years in prison.
The court had not set any date for future hearings, but the charges of sedition against them had not been dropped.
Since overthrowing an elected government in May 2014, the nation’s military rulers have jailed opponents who dared to speak out against them. They’ve censored the media, dispersed protesters and forbidden open political debate.
Commenting on the court’s decision, a government spokesman warned the students to behave. He urged the students not to “create chaos in society” or to “hold activities like in the past”.
The activists, 11 of them university students, were arrested on June 26 while staging a small, peaceful pro-democracy demonstration in Bangkok.
Since taking power, the junta has imposed curbs on freedom of expression and intimidated its critics.
The release of the students followed a series of pronouncements by human rights organizations that called on Thai authorities to unconditionally free the 14 activists that were peacefully expressing their opposition to the government in the capital Bangkok.
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“Police asked to extend the students’ detention but today the court threw out that request”, said Kisadang Nutjarat, a lawyer for the students.
