Jakrapob denies arms charges
text size

Jakrapob denies arms charges

Challenges regime to come up with proof

Jakrapob Penkair, the fugitive former PM’s Office minister who faces lese majeste charges, has denied police claims he possessed war weapons, saying the accusation is fiction and the military regime should produce evidence to support it.

Mr Jakrapob recently joined hands with ex-Pheu Thai Party leader Charupong Ruangsuwan in setting up the Organisation of Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy (FT-HD).

The group was formed to counter the military regime.

He denied the charge on Saturday in remarks posted on asiaprovocateur.blogspot.com.

Earlier, the military court issued warrants for his arrest and that of four others for alleged involvement in weapons seized recently.

"The charges levelled against me today by Thailand’s illegitimate coup regime reveal, once again, the desperation of the generals and the establishment they represent.

"The false claim that I am behind some kind of 'armed element' is not only a fiction but yet another example of the injudiciousness of the fraudulent Thai junta,'' Mr Jakrapob said.

He said there is simply no evidence to connect him to the junta’s seizure of arms and he would challenge them to produce such evidence.

The claims the military regime is putting forward are so flimsy they would collapse quickly when subject to proper cross-examination.

Mr Jakrapob said that as for any attempt to “extradite” him on such charges, the junta must know no government would succumb to its threats and he would be given full access to any evidence the junta has concocted and also a platform to challenge such evidence.

"I must state that I have no involvement in any kind of armed struggle,'' he said.

The junta had threatened to revoke his passport. That was nothing more than a "grotesque repressive act'' as it would turn any Thai citizen who stands against the military regime into a political refugee.

It would serve as further proof the junta is run by petulant tyrants operating far beyond the norms of international law.

Meanwhile, deputy national police chief Pol Gen Somyos Pumpanmuang said Mr Jakrapob is thought to be in Hong Kong.

Police will contact the Office of the Attorney-General and the Foreign Ministry to ask Hong Kong to deport Mr Jakrapob.

Pol Gen Somyos said he hoped the process of seeking the repatriation of Mr Jakrapob would begin next week.

As for the others issued arrest warrants by the military court, he had assigned Pol Lt Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, a national police assistant, to form a team to arrest them.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT