UDD leaders jailed for 2007 protest at Prem's residence

UDD leaders jailed for 2007 protest at Prem's residence

UDD co-leaders Nattawut Saikuar (left), Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai (centre) and Weng Tojirakarn are taken out of the Criminal Court on Wednesday after hearing the judgement on charges of illegal assembly outside Gen Prem Tinsulanonda's home on July 22, 2007. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)
UDD co-leaders Nattawut Saikuar (left), Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai (centre) and Weng Tojirakarn are taken out of the Criminal Court on Wednesday after hearing the judgement on charges of illegal assembly outside Gen Prem Tinsulanonda's home on July 22, 2007. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)

The Criminal Court on Wednesday sentenced five leading members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to prison, without suspension, over a protest in front of the Si Sao Thewes residence of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda on July 22, 2007.

Four men -- Veerakan Musikhapong, Nattawut Saikuar, Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai and Weng Tojirakarn -- were each sentenced to terms of four years and four months. Nopparuj Worachitwuthikul was sentenced to imprisonment for two years and eight months.

Two other UDD leaders, Veerasak Hemathulin and Wanchai Naputtha, who were also named as defendants in the case were acquitted.

The court was told the seven UDD leaders led thousands of red-shirt supporters from Sanam Luang to the Si Sao Thewes residence of Gen Prem, where they staged a protest calling on him to resign as president of the Privy Council.

They were charged with illegal assembly and other legal offences including resisting officials performing their duties.

The court ruled that as authorities approached to arrrest the protest leaders, who were sitting in a vehicle, they were obstructed by protesters who threw bricks and chairs at them. This was not an act of defence as claimed by the defendants, the court said.

Judging from their speeches at the  protest, the UDD leaders had no real intention of stopping the protesters' actions, the court said.

The court read out sentences for Nattawut, Wiphuthalaeng and Weng of four years and four months  imprisonment each for illegal assembly and other charges including resisting officials performing their duty. Nopparuj was sentenced to two years and eight months for resisting officials performing their duty.

The court declined to suspend the sentences.

The court acquitted Mr Veerasak and Mr Wanchai for lack of evidence, giving them the benefit of doubt.

Six of the seven defendants were present at the court to hear the sentencing. Mr Veerakan was represented by a lawyer who requested a postponement of the judgement on his client, who he said was sick and had been undergoing treatment at the Police Hospital since Sept 14. A doctor's letter of certification was attached to the request.

The court approved the request and rescheduled the official reading of the judgement on Veerakan to Sept 30 at 9am.

The UDD lawyer, Winyat Chartmontree, filed a bail request for Nattawut, Wiphuthalaeng, Weng and Nopparuj, offering 500,000 baht each as collateral, pending appeal.

Aftr consideration, the court approved their release on bail with 500,000 baht surety and set the condition they must not leave the country without the court's permission.

Mr Winyat said a bail request would also be filed for Veerakan when he comes out of hospital and officially hears the ruling on Sept 30.

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