Two red shirts sentenced to 20 months in jail for bomb possession
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The Criminal Court on Friday found two red shirts guilty of possessing homemade bombs during the last year's violence and sentenced each a 20-month imprisonment.
In the wake of riots at Din Daeng, the prosecution tried three red defenants, Veera Saipim, Chakrit Chomthong and Krairung Onkham on the charges related for the violations of emergency rule and the possession of explosives.
Two defendants, Veera and Chakrit, admitted to having explosives, known as pingpong bombs, although they claimed that they had attended the rally before returning to their Sakon Nakhon hometown.
They said the bombs were intended to chase away birds foraging at their respective farms.
Krairung admitted to attend the rally with the two but denied any knowledge about the bombs. The two backed up her testimony.
In its ruling the court said pingpong bombs were common weapons found at various rallies and not designed for farming purpose, hence striking down the defence argument.
After handing down the conviction, the court initially sentenced Veera and Chakrit to each serve two years for bomb possession and another six months in jail for violating the emergency rule. The sentencing was then commuted due to the two’s confession.
Krairung was acquitted for bomb possession but found guilty of violating the emergency rule. She was sentenced to serve six months in jail and pay a fine of Bt5,000. The court cited her first offence as ground for leniency, suspend her imprisonment for one year.
