The authorities has sent a security officer to video-record the hearing of activists charged with contempt of court despite the court’s prohibition.
From 27-28 September 2017, the Provincial Court of Khon Kaen held the final hearings for seven youth activists accused of contempt of court for organising activities on 10 February 2017 in symbolic support of Pai Dao Din that were designed to draw attention to issues in Thailand’s justice system.
Most of the seven are student activists from Dao Din Group.
During the hearing, despite the fact that the court prohibits observers to record the hearing, Dechathorn Ditsayaphudinan, a security officer, recorded it, telling the court that his superior ordered him to do so.
The court staff said the court will investigate whether Dechathorn’s action is deemed as an act of contempt of court or not.
At the hearing Sirawit ‘Ja New’ Serithiwat, a prominent anti-junta activist who is one of the seven, denied the charge and argued that such action does not constitute contempt of court.
Yingcheep Atchanon, a lawyer and project manager of iLaw, a human rights advocacy group, testified that the activists gathered in support for Pai Dao Din peacefully and that the mockery symbol of justice erected in front of the court by the activists was meant to convey messages to military.
Earlier in May, six of the seven activists delivered a petition against their charges to the court. They argue that their activities were no more than an exercise of the basic freedom of expression, and moreover reflected the views of many students and young people towards Thailand’s justice system, adding that they did not cause any damage to property or endanger others.
The court has scheduled the verdict hearing on the case at 9 am on 2 November 2017.
The campaign on 11 February that lead the charges against the seven students (Photo from The Isaan Record)