Red-shirt Arisman loses appeal, gets year in jail
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The Court of Appeals Tuesday upheld the lower court's ruling and sentenced red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong, to one year in prison after finding him guilty of defaming former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at rallies in 2009.
Abhisit’s suit said Arisman took to rally stages at the Democracy Monument and outside Government House and his speeches were broadcast via the People Channel. He accused Abhisit of corruption and stalling an amnesty petition for ex-pm Thaksin Shinawatra to His Majesty the King.
Arisman also accused Abhisit of ordering the killing of people, robbing the community and neglecting to check corruption in development projects.
The Criminal Court ruled that Arisman made false statements at the rally with intention to instigate political unrest and defame Abhisit. His comments were not honest criticism.
The court sentenced him to 12 months in prison and ordered Arisman to advertise the court verdict in daily newspapers Matichon and Daily News for seven consecutive days.
The Court of Appeals said that Arisman was a political opponent of Abhisit, his comments were aimed at attacking his political rival and were not honest comments.
The court found Arisman had accused Abhisit of corrupt involvement in the 4,000 NGV bus project without verifying facts. His accusation that Abhisit ordered the killing of people by citing a voice clip recording was aimed at tarnishing the image of the ex-PM, the court said.
The court also dismissed Arisman’s claim that Abhisit stalled the amnesty petition process, saying the ex-pm had to follow due process. The court also rejected Arisman’s request for light punishment, reasoning he should have acted in the country’s interest and should not have attacked his political rival without grounds.
Arisman’s lawyer posted an additional Bt300,000 for bail after his client decided to challenge the court’s decision in the Supreme Court.
