Sondhi acquitted of lese majeste
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The Criminal Court on Wednesday found yellow-shirt leader Sondhi Limthongkul not guilty of lese majeste, saying he had no intention of defaming the monarchical institution when he cited comments by a red shirt leader.
The comments by Daranee Chancherngsilpakul were earlier deemed insulting to the monarchy, leading to Daranee’s imprisonment.
Sondhi cited Daranee’s words at a People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) rally on July 20, 2008, two days after Daranee was sentenced to 18 years in prison. She remains incarcerated.
The court said Sondhi had only selected parts of a speech by Daranee, also known as “Da Torpedo," and summarised them for his supporters.
Sondhi later told the media that there is a campaign whose goal is to see him put behind bars by any means. He said he is facing dozens of legal charges but has never once blamed the court.
