Friday, 18 February 2011

Veera and Ratree to seek royal pardon

via CAAI

By The Nation





Two Thai activists of Thai Patriots Network (TPN) convicted on charges of illegal entry and spying in Cambodia will seek a royal pardon from Cambodian King, a TPN legal adviser said Thursday.

Veera Somkwamkit and Ratree Pipattanapaibul decided to drop their plan to lodge an appeal against the conviction which sent them eight and nine years in jail respectively.
Nattaporn Toeprayoon said that he will ask the Thai government to seek a royal pardon for the two and an international organisation to help facilitate.

They decided not to pursue the appeal and sought a royal pardon instead came from requests of their families, including Veera's mother who wanted to see them return to Thailand as soon as possible.

Veera and Ratree were among seven Thais charged of illegal entry into Cambodia. They were arrested on December 29 last year during their inspection at a site in Sa Kaew province. The two were also charged of spying.

The five others Thais were freed and back to Thailand after receiving suspended nine-month jail term.

People's Alliance for Democracy spokesman Panthep Puapongpan said Mr Nathaporn's decision was understandable.

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