BANGKOK, Dec 27 – Thai prosecutors today indicted six co-leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), known as Yellow Shirts, for leading their protesters in an intrusion of the Government House compound during anti-government demonstrations in 2008.
The PAD leaders, who appeared at Criminal Court today and were indicted, are media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, Maleerat Kaewka, retired-General Chamlong Srimuang, Pipob Thongchai, Somkiat Pongpaiboon and Prapan Koonmee.
Prosecutors indicted the six yellow shirt activists in three separate cases.
All were indicted for leading PAD protesters to seize the Government House compound in their month-long campaign to topple the Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat administration in 2008.
Another case involved the accusation that 20 PAD Yellow Shirt activists led the blockade of the Parliament by the movement in October 2008.
Mr Sondhi alone was indicted for defamation of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
PAD lawyer Suwat Apaiyapakdi said only six protest leaders turned up at the court today, while the rest will report to hear the prosecutors’ decision on January 22.
He said each PAD leader submitted Bt90,000 bail bond for Government House invasion case, and an additional Bt100,000 for the Parliament blockade case.
Mr Sondhi also posted another Bt100,000 as collateral to seek his temporary release.
Prosecutors said they have thoroughly considered the three cases based on evidence submitted by investigators, as well as video clips from the media which documented wrongdoings by the accused.
They said the cases have been delayed for more than a year as they also considered the complaints of the defendants with caution.
