The Criminal Court yesterday rejected a request for the temporary release of 10 red-shirt leaders in remand on terrorism charges connected with the recent political unrest.
Their lawyer, Karom Ponthaklang, did not seek bail for an 11th detained red-shirt leader, Kokaew Pikulthong, who has been selected by the opposition Pheu Thai Party to contest the July 25 by-election in Bangkok's Constituency 6.
Department of Special Investigation officers opposed temporary release, arguing they needed more time to question another 70 witnesses and receive the results of forensic testing.
They also said the accused might jump bail, due to the severity of the penalties their offences carried if convicted.
Terrorism carries a possible death sentence. Other penalties are three years to life imprisonment and/or a fine of between Bt60,000 and Bt1 million.
Karom said the detained red shirts, in a petition opposing a second remand period, pointed to the fact they had voluntarily surrendered to police as proof they had no intention of fleeing.
He said yesterday's appeal was made for only 10 of the detainees because Kokaew was earlier allowed by the court to leave Klong Prem Prison this coming Monday to register his candidacy in the upcoming by-election.
Following the registration, the lawyer will apply for Kokaew's bail.
The court said Kokaew must be returned to prison after registering his candidacy. He has asked to show up and register wearing his prison attire.
In a related development, the Criminal Court yesterday agreed to hear a libel suit filed by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban against Jatuporn Promphan, a Pheu Thai MP and key red-shirt leader.
The lawsuit alleges that last December, Jatuporn told the media Suthep had arranged for a group of foreign immigrants to infiltrate a red-shirt protest and destroy royal portraits in a bid to taint the movement's image.
The court yesterday scheduled July 20 for the start of the trial.