Mon, Jan 11, 2021 – 9:39 PM
[BANGKOK] Thai authorities on Monday charged four democracy activists with royal defamation, with the protest movement rocking the kingdom put on hold because of a spike in coronavirus cases.
A total of 41 people have now been charged with insulting the monarchy in a major uptick in Thailand’s use of its strict lese majeste laws since a youth-led protest movement began last July.
The charges can carry a 15-year jail sentence, but the threat of prosecution has not deterred protesters from demanding reform to the monarchy and greater scrutiny of its finances.
Police questioned the four on Monday and released them, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.
Three, including a 17-year-old, were charged over a protest at Wongwienyai, across the river from Bangkok early in December.
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