File photo : Anchalee Paireerak, one of PAD core members.
The Criminal Court acquitted 32 core members of the now defunct People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) political group today. They had been charged with insurrection for seizing Don Mueang airport from November 24 until December 3, 2008, in an attempt to force the resignation of the Somchai Wongsawat government.
The court did, however, impose a 20,000 baht fine on 13 of the defendants for trespass and violation of the Emergency Decree in force at the time.
The court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove that all 32 defendants had committed insurrection, assaulted officials or obstructed them in the performance of duty, illegally detained any official or disrupted communications system and air travel services during the protest at the airport. The protest was also peaceful and the protesters were…
