Thailand’s Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit fears military trial over sedition
- Supporters chanted ‘Keep fighting, Thanathorn’ outside the police station in Bangkok where he answered accusations of sedition and assisting criminals
“I’m concerned because this case is under the military court instead of the criminal court,” he said in a statement to reporters. “That is quite unsettling.”
He said he was treated fairly by police and added: “There are many citizens in Thailand that have been charged with (sedition under Article) 116, including those that have not received any public attention. The regime creates fear for the society to silence us,” Thanathorn said. “I insist I am innocent I am ready to stand firm in the court proceedings. I urge all Thais and the international community to call for civil rights to stand for human rights for the betterment of our society.”
Police General Srivara Ransibrahmanakul, deputy chief of police, said on Wednesday that the charges against Thanathorn stem from his role in a student demonstration on June 24, 2015. He said the case had stalled because of several reshuffles among the responsible officers.