Future Forward Party (FFP) secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul reported to the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) on Wednesday and denied two charges filed against him over his reading of a party statement involving the Constitutional Court's decision to dissolve the Thai Raksa Chart Party in early March.
Representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the National Human Rights Commission turned up at the TCSD to observe the situation while dozens of supporters were on hand to give him moral support amid tight security.
Noticeably absent were representatives of foreign embassies. On April 6, when FFP leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit reported to Pathumwan police station to acknowledge charges of sedition and other crimes, representatives from several embassies turned up to observe the procedure.
The complaint against Mr Piyabutr was lodged by Col Burin Thongprapai, a legal officer for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), who accused Mr Piyabutr of contempt of court and importing information that may undermine national security or public order to a computer system, in violation of the Computer Crimes Act.
The FFP secretary-general denied all charges and has until April 25 to submit a written statement to the TCSD. He said some parts of the complaint against him were not true.
Mr Piyabutr also complained about Section 198 of the Criminal Code that allows "anyone" to file for contempt of court.
He questioned the motive behind the complaint, saying Col Burin represented the NCPO while the NCPO chief, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, was a prime ministerial candidate of a rival party, a reference to the Palang Pracharath Party.
However, Mr Piyabutr said he had faith in the Thai judicial system and the independence and impartiality of police investigators. He even posted a photo on social media of his ink-stained fingers, calling it a new experience.
The TCSD promised Mr Piyabutr would be treated fairly.
