Suthep denies defaming red-shirt trio
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FORMER deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban has told the Criminal Court he did not defame three red-shirt leaders or break electoral law in an election campaign interview in 2011.
The Criminal Court yesterday set October 26 as the date for consideration of written evidence from both sides.
Suthep is accused of defaming Jatuporn Prompan, Nattawut Saikua and Weng Tojirakarn, who are also Pheu Thai Party members, by calling them terrorists and arsonists during the May 22, 2011, interview, thus also violating articles 53 and 137 of the electoral law.
Suthep denies the charges.
The court said time was needed to transcribe a video recording of the interview.
Suthep told the court he was innocent and that the accusation came from a mix of different answers he gave to different reporters during the interview to make it appear he said those things.
He requested the court continue the trial in his absence but said he would be represented by his |lawyer.
The court granted the request, saying Suthep can be represented by his lawyer, but noted that maximum punishment is a prison term of no more than 10 years.
Suthep left the court without speaking to reporters.
