BANGKOK Rights groups on Tuesday urged the Thai army to drop defamation charges against three activists over a report on torture in the conflict-hit south, decrying the prosecution as an effort to silence critics. A state prosecutor was handed the case file on Tuesday and will now decide whether to press on with the controversial charges against Pornpen Khongkachonkiet -- the chair of Amnesty International Thailand -- Anchana Heemmina and Somchai Homlaor. The trio could face up to seven years in jail. (AFP)
Philippines
Rights groups urge Thai junta to drop case vs activists
Feb 22, 2017
BANGKOK Rights groups on Tuesday urged the Thai army to drop defamation charges against three activists over a report on torture in the conflict-hit south, decrying the prosecution as an effort to silence critics. A state prosecutor was handed the case file on Tuesday and will now decide whether to press on with the controversial charges against Pornpen Khongkachonkiet -- the chair of Amnesty International Thailand -- Anchana Heemmina and Somchai Homlaor. The trio could face up to seven years in jail. (AFP)