Thai court convicts 9 young Muslim men in Bangkok bomb plot – after defendants say they were tortured into making false confessions
The case began when at least 50 Thai Muslims were rounded up in October 2016; they were released but 13 were rearrested the following month along with an additional suspect
A Thai court on Tuesday convicted nine young Muslim men from southern Thailand of planning to set off a car bomb in the capital, in a case in which many of the defendants said they were tortured into making false confessions.
The Criminal Court in Bangkok found all nine guilty of two offences – belonging to an underground criminal group and conspiracy – and sentenced each to four years’ imprisonment.
One was also found guilty of illegal possession of explosive devices, giving him a total of six years in prison.
Their original sentences were eight years and 12 years, respectively, which were halved because of their confessions, which is normal practice in Thai courts. Five defendants were acquitted.
The case began when at least 50 Thai Muslims, mostly students at Bangkok’s Ramkhamhaeng University, were rounded up in joint police-military sweeps on October 10, 2016. They were released but 13 were rearrested the following month along with an additional suspect.