BANGKOK, March 4 (TNA) – Leaders of “Yellow Shirt”
movement have been acquitted in a case of Parliament siege during an
anti-government protest in 2008.
The Criminal Court on Monday acquitted the 21 leaders of the
now-defunct People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who had been accused of five
charges stemming their role in the protest on October 7, 2008.
PAD leaders, including Chamlong Srimuang and Sondhi
Limthongkul, had been accused of leading protesters to besiege Parliament and
obstruct then-prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, Cabinet members and lawmakers
from entering the compound.
The court ruled that the protest had been peaceful and
protected by constitutional rights as the accused had not carried out actions
deemed as instigating violence. The PAD
leaders were scrutinizing politicians by giving information to the people in
opposition of Somchai government who was about to make a policy statement to
Parliament.
Thousands of protesters laid siege of the Parliament
compound and later clashed with security officers, resulting in injuries and
damage to properties.
Some of the PAD leaders had already been imprisoned for
other charges related to anti-government demonstrations. (TNA)
