The Criminal Court on Thursday postponed the hearing of defence witnesses in the trial of red-shirt demonstrators arraigned on terrorism charges, because many of the defendants are running in the March 24 general election.
The court allowed a request for an adjournment by lawyers for the 24 accused leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
Consequently, defence witness hearings scheduled from Thursday into next month will instead begin on April 4.
The defendants include former UDD chairman Veerakan Musikapong, 71, UDD chairman Jatuporn Prompan, 54, Nattawut Saikuar, 44, Dr Weng Tojirakan, 68, Yoswarit Chuklom, 61, and Arisman Pongruangrong, 55.
On Aug 11, 2010, public prosecutors told the court that UDD leaders persuaded supporters to join their protests to oust the Abhisit Vejjajiva government from Feb 28 to May 20, 2010.
They had organised rallies, built up their forces and used war weapons, broken into and fired grenades in public places, closed roads and set up checkpoints, all of which caused national unrest, the state charged.
All have entered pleas of not guilty.