The Criminal Court yesterday dismissed a request to revoke arrest warrants against key leaders of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship.
The warrants were issued against DAAD chairman Veera Musigapong and 15 other key members of the red-shirt movement for violating the emergency decree.
Veera and other DAAD members have been rallying in Bangkok for more than a month now despite the state of emergency. At present, they are occupying the Rajprasong intersection, effectively shutting down most businesses around there.
The red-shirt leaders gave their lawyer, Karom Polthaklang, the job of appealing against the arrest warrants. However, the Criminal Court dismissed their appeal yesterday.
After hearing the court's decision, Karom told the press he had advised the DAAD leaders against turning themselves in as previously promised. "They may be arrested and detained at a place other than prison," Karom said.
The lawyer said he was waiting to see whether the Constitution Court would rule the emergency decree was unconstitutional.
If the decree is declared unconstitutional, the arrest warrants will become void.
In a bid to help the DAAD leaders, Karom has petitioned the Constitution Court, as well.