Treason charges drop amid allegation of torture

The court also acknowledged that an initial confession from one of the three defendants was beaten out of him while in custody.

Police had accused Ilyas Malee, 42, Paosi Sateng, 30, and Ya Ah-dae, 61, of taking part in separatist activities between 1999-2002. Ilyas and Paosi have passed away while during the legal proceeding.

The police had accused the three suspects had taken part in meetings with members of Patani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo) and Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) and other "mujahidine" groups behind the violence in the Malay-speaking region.

Police also accused the three of promoting separatist ideology, as well as carrying armed activities against state officials.

However, the court, in a statement read out on Wednesday, said the one and only witness for the police was not credible. The witness was identified as Mala Sem, a member of a tambon administration office (TAO) in Yala's Lam Mai district.

According to the statement read out, The court took into consideration the possibility of a personal conflict between Mala and Ilyas, saying the latter was a local imam while the TAO officer was accused of being involved in illegal activities in the area.