BANGKOK, 21 February 2014 The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) plans to request the Criminal Court to consider repealing the arrest warrants against the group’s core leaders, citing the Civil Court’s recent permission for their gatherings.
Following the Criminal Court’s issuance of arrest warrants for PDRC core leaders, who were alleged of breaching the emergency decree, Mr Thaworn Senneam, PDRC core leader and legal advisor, revealed that a petition would be filed with the court in an attempt to have the warrants canceled. As supporting evidence, he said he would uphold the Civil Court’s recent order, which barred the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) from prohibitting a gathering of five or more persons.
The Civil Court on February 19 issued a verdict that the emergency decree would remain in place in Bangkok and parts of its vicinities. However, the CMPO was ordered not to disperse the PDRC protesters, confiscate their belongings and equipment, dismantle their camps or cut off transport routes.
Whether or not the court would accept the arrest warrant cancellation request, Mr Thaworn said he would certainly leave the decision to the judges.
The core leader added that murder charges would also be lodged against Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, CMPO Director Chalerm Yubamrung, National Police Chief Adul Saengsingkaew and other officials behind the February 18 crackdown at the Phan Fa Lilat Bridge. The incident resulted in 5 deaths and 65 injuries.
