Yuthasak sympathetic but uncertain if he can bail Arisman
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Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha said on Thursday that while he would have to check relevant laws if asked to use his position to bail remanded red-shirt Arisman Pongruangrong.
“I will have to consult my legal team before deciding whether I could post bail for Arisman,” he said.
Yuthasak was reacting to the defence team, which suggested that he could invoke his position to secure a temporary release for Arisman, pending his trial on terrorism charges in connection with the last year’s political disturbances.
He said that as a former military leader, he understood the feelings of a family without a father, and their wish for Arisman to rejoin his family.
In regard to helping Arisman by posting bail, he said he was uncertain if he had the mandate and duty as defence minister to secure the release of a remand prisoner.
He said he received no formal request for his intervention and that he would decide his next move only after the defence had formally asked him to post bail.
Arisman has been held in remand since December 7. He twice applied for but failed to secure bail.
