Lawyers for fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra filed an appeal yesterday seeking to revoke his arrest warrant on terrorism charges, issued on Tuesday.
In addition to written arguments questioning the prosecution evidence, the defence called two key witnesses, red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan and Pheu Thai MP Suchart Lainamngern, to testify on Thaksin's behalf.
Lawyer Thanadet Puangpool led the defence team, including Thaksin's legal adviser Pichit Chuenban.
Speaking before the filing of the defence appeals, Jatuporn said he planned to clarify that Thaksin had no involvement in the decision-making process in the red-shirt movement and that he had no link to terrorism.
"I am prepared to explain to the court that core leaders of the red shirts were responsible for every move at the rally without any influence from Thaksin," he said.
He said he could vouch for Thaksin that he was not a terrorist as charged.
Commenting on video links between Thaksin and the rally, he said Thaksin's last message to the rally was made on April 3, before the state of emergency was imposed on April 7.
During the emergency rule, Thaksin made just one video link to the rally in order to dispel a rumour about his death, he said.
The defence contends the rally was declared unlawful and unconstitutional following the enforcement of emergency rule.
Under Article 135/1 of the Criminal Code, a terrorism charge is not applicable to activities of public assembly as sanctioned by the Constitution.