Families decry 'harsh' detentions of 'Facebook 8'
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Families decry 'harsh' detentions of 'Facebook 8'

The families of those arrested for allegedly violating the Computer Crime Act have called for their release and decried their harsh and inhumane detentions.

The families spoke to the Bangkok Post Thursday while waiting to submit a document to the Criminal Court requesting the release of their loved ones who are accused of posting politically provocative information online.

Samnieng, who withheld her surname, 62, grandmother of 21-year-old Noppakao Kongsuwan, one of the several netizens that remain in custody in Bangkok for criticising the military regime and the draft charter, said she felt disgraced and disrespected by the military, which raided their home on Wednesday.

"They [soldiers] jumped over the fence, wrecking part of it, they were so agitated. I asked to use the bathroom but they refused to let me. Once inside, they trampled all over the place in their boots."

"They said 'no' when my nephew asked to brush his teeth," added Ms Samnieng, who said she suffers from high-blood pressure.

Mr Noppakao, she said, was an over-active youngster who had to see the doctor regularly. "They shouldn't act like this. Like burglars raiding our house at dawn, I feel sorry as I have always admired the authorities," added Ms Samnieng.

Tavorn Saibut, 70, a security guard in Bangkok, said when he came back home on Wednesday morning he did not see his son Supachai, 30, as usual. He found a military officer at his home who said his son had been taken to the 11th Military Circle.

Mr Supachai's computer, telephone and audio equipment were taken by authorities. His mother travelled from Surin to try to see her son, but they have not seen each other yet.

Krit Mahaton, 63, the father of Harit, one of two people held in Khon Kaen, said the political situation was gloomier than under previous juntas.

"It's like phuyai [adults] abuse or mistreat children. These youngsters felt pressured, they were just being cynical. In the past, criticising leaders, caricatures and satire were quite normal. Now it's depressing," said Mr Krit, who travelled from Khon Kaen hoping to see his 25-year-old son, who graduated from Thammasat University and worked briefly at Matichon newspaper.

Abhorn, who also withheld her surname, 76, is the mother of a 42-year-old woman who was arrested on Wednesday morning. She said the military yelled at them when she was slow to open the door.

"A soldier appeared at the back door and when we walked to the front, more were waiting. They said they had Section 44 orders in their hands and they just walked around our home in boots," said Ms Abhorn, who lives in Nonthaburi.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International said it was a pity the military regime was brazenly seeking to shut down debate ahead of the referendum on the draft charter.

"If ordinary people cannot comment on a Facebook post without facing the threat of 10 years behind bars and a hefty fine, what hope is there for any open and honest debate?" said Josef Benedict, Amnesty International's director of campaigns for Southeast Asia.

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