THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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Former yellow-shirt leaders decide on next action after acquittals in 2008 crackdown case

Former yellow-shirt leaders decide on next action after acquittals in 2008 crackdown case

Former yellow-shirt leaders will meet on Friday to discuss moves after the Supreme Court's acquittal of four defendants in a case stemming from the fatal 2008 crackdown.

Panthep Puapongpan, former spokesman of now defunct People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), used Facebook on Wednesday to invite all former leaders of the movement and people concerned to meet on Friday at 9am at Ban Phra Arthit.
They will announce their position after the meeting.
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders on Wednesday ruled that four defendants, former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, his then-deputy Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, then-police chief Pol General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, and then-Metropolitan Police chief Pol Lt-General Suchart Muenkaew, were not guilty in regard to the deadly police crackdown on yellow-shirt protesters in October 2008.
The PAD yesterday called on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to appeal the court verdict but the NACC, which brought the case to the Supreme Court, said commissioners would need to carefully study the verdict before deciding on an appeal.
Last week, the Court of Appeal sentenced six former PAD leaders to eight months in prison, reducing the two-year jail terms imposed by the primary court, for their seizure of Government House in an attempt to oust then-prime minister Samak Sundaravej in 2008.
The six former leaders are retired general Chamlong Srimuang, Somsak Kosaisuk, Pipob Thongchai, Suriyasai Katasila, Somkiat Pongpaiboon and media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, who is serving a jail term in a separate case involving stock market violations.

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