Suspects in schoolgirl rape case urged to stay quiet
Volunteer lawyers for suspects in the alleged gang rape of a teenage schoolgirl in Phang Nga province have advised their clients to stop giving media interviews to avoid possible defamation.
Eight suspects have already been arrested in connection with the gang rapes that allegedly took place between May and December last year. The alleged victim, now 15, said more than 40 men took part in the sexual assaults.
Of the eight suspects arrested, two have already been released on bail.
“Local people in the village where the crimes allegedly took place [put forward] money to submit bonds for two more suspects,” lawyer Sanpetch Tipmontien said on Monday.
Yuttanakorn Juanjenkij, the kamnan overseeing the village, said local people had given Bt20 each to support the bail requests.
Sanpetch said the money raised was not enough to put up bail for all the accused.
He added that he was in the process of seeking the temporary release of the other suspects through the Justice Fund.