Reds leaders get jail sentence over invasion of Prem's home
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THE CRIMINAL Court yesterday sentenced four leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) to four years and four months in jail over their rally to lay siege to the Si Si Sao Theves residence of Privy Council chief General Prem Tins
The court released the four UDD leaders – Weerakan Musikapong, Nuttawut Saikuar, Weng Tojirakarn, Wiputhalaeng Pattanaphumthai – on Bt500,000 bail each on the condition that they cannot leave the country without the court’s permission.
Set to appeal ruling
The four have vowed to appeal the court’s ruling.
Public prosecutors accused the four and three others – Nopparuj Worachitwuttikul, Veerasak Hemathulin and Wanchai Naputta – of conspiring with more than 10 others for assaulting, causing turmoil, possessing arms, resisting and assaulting authorities.
The seven led the others to surround and break into Prem’s residence to pressure him to resign. Weerakan did not appear in the court due to illness.
The court acquitted Veerasak and Wanchai for lack of evidence. The court sentenced Noppararuj to four years in jail for assaulting a police officer but commuted the sentence to two years and eight months for giving useful testimony.
Prosecutors have yet to indict five other people in the same case: Charan Ditta-apichai, Manit Jitjanklab, Banthong Somkam, ML Wirayut Seniwong na Ayudhaya and Jakrapob Penkair, who has fled the country.
