Veera, 7 others in custody but not charged yet
Political activist Veera Somkwamkid and seven other people arrested on Sunday during a gathering that violated martial law were handed to police yesterday, but yet to be formally charged.
Lt-Colonel Burin Thongprapai, judge advocate at the Second Cavalry Division, took the eight to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD).
Burin said police were allowed under the law to detain them for no more than seven days without charge. If they are not formally charged within the period, they will be released.
He said he had interrogated the eight but declined to give details. “Veera’s offence is not serious,” he said.
Veera and the others, including former senator Boonyuen Siritham, were arrested at Victory Monument while campaigning for reform of the energy sector. Martial law prohibits a political gathering of five people or more.
CSD deputy commander Colonel Prasopchok Prommoon said the eight had not been formally charged, adding that the military would brief police later in regard to possible charges.
The military is gathering evidence against the eight and the results of that process will determine whether they violated martial law, Prasopchok said.
Many people yesterday visited the eight at CSD headquarters, bringing them food. They included Veera’s wife Pis-ampai Somkwamkid and Panthep Puapongphan, spokesman for the yellow shirt People’s Alliance for Democracy.
Panthep said he did not think the eight had violated the junta’s order, adding that they simply distributed leaflets calling for reform in the energy sector.
