Military court not approve detention of ‘Ja New’, three other activists
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The military court Thursday rejected police’s request to allow them to detain student activist Sirawit Serithiwat or Ja (Sergeant) New and three other activists for seven days pending indictment.
Sirawit said the court did not approve the seven-day detention period on ground that police investigators had interrogated several witnesses and only a few more witnesses would have yet to be interrogated.
Sirawit said the court also reasoned that he and other suspects would not be able to mess with the state witnesses.
Sirawit was captured by troops in front of Thammasat University’s Rangsit late Wednesday night.
The three other activists were arrested when they visited Sirawit at the Nimitr Mai police station Thursday morning. They were identified as Chonthicha Jaengrew, Chanoknan Ruamsup and Korakot Saengyenphan.
Sirawit and the three other activists were charged with violating the coup order against holding political rallies after they organised a train trip to Hua Hin, heading to the Rajabhakti Park.
When they were taken to the court, Chonthicha raised her fist as a sign of defiance against the junta and coup.
Sirawit said he would not stop his campaign against the National Council for Peace and Order despite his arrest. He said he has announced his stand against the coup since May 23 2014.
He said he would seek legal actions against the nine military officers who captured him.
