News anchor arrested for ‘defamatory’ prison corruption report
A news anchor has been arrested for violating Computer Crime Act after he allegedly defamed people in a news programme about alleged corruption in the prison system.
Crime Suppression Division superintendent Pol Colonel Jiraphob Phooridej said yesterday that police had arrested Yuthiyong Limlertwatee, ASTV News One news anchor, at a cafe in Bangkok’s Wangthonglang district on Tuesday evening under an arrest warrant issued by Ang Thong Court on January 11.
Yuthiyong is accused of posting false information online and defamation.
Jiraphob said Yuthiyong had invited a company supplying food to Ang Thong prison on his programme and discussed claims of corruption related to the purchase of food.
The person mentioned in relation to the case, whom Jiraphob failed to identify, sued Yuthiyong for defamation, leading to the issuance of the warrant and the arrest on Tuesday.
“This is an arrest based on the warrant and Yuthiyong admitted that he was the person named. Further information will be disclosed in court,” he said.
Yuthiyong was transferred to Angthong Police custody as the case was being investigated.
According to Manager Online, Yuthiyong said he had received the police summons and turned himself in to be interrogated. He added that he was not worried about the case, as he had done his job properly and without a personal agenda.