Capo gears for mass arrests
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Capo gears for mass arrests

Efforts to arrest the 30 anti-government protest leaders facing fresh warrants will start in the next few days, says the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo).

Capo secretary-general Tarit Pengdith said special teams were ordered to track down the protest leaders moments after the Criminal Court approved the arrest warrants on Wednesday.

"I believe police will capture some of the protest leaders in a day or two," he said.

The teams would have to wait for the right moment to arrest their targets because they are still heavily guarded, said Mr Tarit, who is also the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief.

The 30 leaders and key members of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) face eight charges including insurrection.

Among them were Sathit Wongnongtoey, Chumpol Julasai, Putthipong Punnakant, Issara Somchai, Witthaya Kaewparadai, Thaworn Senneam, Nattapol Teepsuwan, Akanat Promphan, Nitithorn Lamlua, Uthai Yodmanee, Gen Preecha Iamsuphan and Yossak Kosaikanont.

Former senator Chirmsak Pinthong, one of the 30 PDRC leaders named in the latest batch of warrants, yesterday reported to the Criminal Court only to discover charges had not been lodged with the court.

Accompanied by his lawyers, Mr Chrimsak brought a land title deed to pose as surety for bail. He was told by court officials there was no formal indictment.

The former senator then went to the Office of Attorney-General's Department of Special Litigation to find out what was going on. He was told to report to the DSI first. The DSI would decide whether to detain him for questioning or release him.

Mr Chirmsak and his lawyers then went to the DSI and was later released on 500,000 baht bail.

Meanwhile, the Crime Suppression Division yesterday arrested consumer activist Ittaboon Onwongsa, 44, for alleged theft in connection with an anti-government protest at PTT Group headquarters. Mr Ittaboon denied the charges.

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