Red-shirt chiefs cleared of terrorism in 2010 unrest
The Criminal Court yesterday acquitted 24 leaders of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) of terrorism, ruling that their actions during 2010 protests against the Abhisit Vejjajiva government were political.
The ruling came after prosecutors arraigned key leaders of the antigovernment protests that occurred between Feb 28 and May 20, 2010.
UDD protesters had demanded that then-prime minister Abhisit dissolve the House, believing the military was behind the formation of his government in December 2008.
Mr Abhisit formed his government after the People Power Party was dissolved for electoral fraud, ending the government led by Somchai Wongsawat in the same month.
The 24 red-shirt leaders denied the charge of terrorism and related charges, including sedition, illegal assembly, and violation of an executive decree on public administration in emergency situations.
The defendants included Veerakarn Musigapong, 71, the former UDD chairman; Jatuporn Prompan, 54, the group’s present chairman; Nattawut Saikuar, 44, a key figure; and Weng Tojirakarn, 68, another important UDD member.
The court said no trial witnesses had testified that UDD leaders had incited protesters to engage in acts of terrorism.
There was also no evidence that the leaders were involved in the May 19 arson attack on Central World after the UDD protest was dispersed by the military in 2010.
The court added that the UDD’s call during the protest for Mr Abhisit to dissolve parliament and announce a fresh election was a legitimate exercise of its political rights as guaranteed by the law.
Regarding the charge that Yoswaris Chuklom, alias Jeng Dokjik, had stolen weapons from soldiers which were later put on display at the protest site, the court determined the act did not constitute robbery as he never intended to take ownership of the firearms.
The court also found that since UDD leaders had not moved their protest site after the emergency decree was enacted, they had not violated the order. UDD leader Nattawut Saikuar said justice had prevailed and the verdict is proof the protesters were not terrorists.
Phayao Akahad, the mother of volunteer medic Kamolket, who was killed at Wat Pathum Wanaram during the 2010 protest, called for the setting up of a House panel tasked with bringing people responsible for protesters’ deaths to justice.