The reading of the Supreme Court's ruling in a case against six former leaders of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) over their role in the 2008 street protests has been postponed to Feb 13 after one of the defendants failed to show up for health reasons.
PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang, 83, arrives at the Criminal Court yesterday. Tawatchai Kemgumnerd
Suriyasai Katasila, 45, a former PAD coordinator, had his lawyer submit a letter from his doctor verifying his claim that he was ill and could not attend the hearing.
According to his lawyer, Mr Suriyasai suffered from diarrohea and hypertension and sought medical treatment on Jan 31.
After reviewing Mr Suriyasai's claim, the court agreed to postpone reading the Supreme Court's ruling to Feb 13. The Supreme Court ruling will bring the case, which was filed with the court in 2012, to a close.
The five other defendants -- Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somkiat Pongpaibul, and Somsak Kosaisuk -- were all present. Sondhi was escorted from Khlong Prem prison where he is serving a 20-year prison term for breaking the Securities and Exchange Act. The others were temporarily released on bail.
The Criminal Court and the Appeal Court ruled against the six former PAD leaders who were indicted in connection with the storming of Government House during an attempt to oust then-prime minister Samak Sundaravej in 2008. According to the prosecution, the PAD-led demonstrators cut a police chain used to lock the gate in front of Government House to break into the compound, before vandalising its interior.
In the first court, they were sentenced to three years in prison for leading the protesters in occupying Government House for more than three months and damaging property. The jail term was reduced to two years because they had cooperated with prosecutors. The Appeal Court upheld the guilty ruling but handed each of them a one-year jail term, reduced to eight months because their actions were not intended to benefit certain groups or their own interests.
Mr Pibhop said on Friday he is not worried about the upcoming ruling because he believes he fought for what was righteous. Mr Somkiat also said he is prepared for the ruling whether it is in or against his favour.
