Contempt of court verdicts due Thursday
A man and woman facing possible charges after a protest at the Criminal Court last week pleaded for leniency on Wednesday, saying they got caught up in the commotion on the spur of the moment after the election commissioners were jailed.
The court is due to rule today on the pair and 14 others who rallied outside the court, either as supporters or opponents of the convicted commissioners. In a hearing on Wednesday, Suchada Ruamsilp, an unemployed woman, said she joined the rally in support of the commissioners at her own accord. Suchada told the court she lost control and scolded Chat Thai Party executive Chuwit Kamolvisit after she saw him carrying fried rice and iced coffee for the commissioners. Chuwit's action was an insult, she said, adding that she directed her verbal attacks at him and his party, not the court. Activist Sathien Wiphromha said he tried to pacify the angry crowd and had no intention to stir up any disturbance. Sathien said that while he had expressed his views, his comments were not meant as disrespect for the court. Chuwit testified in the court on Tuesday. He will also attend today's contempt rulings. Meanwhile, the Isaan People's Network for Protection of the Constitution issued a statement calling for the "masterminds" behind the rally to support the commissioners to come forward and provide a legal defence against the contempt of court charges. The Nation
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