Thai man faces a record 50 years in jail for royal insult
The Hindu
Mongkol “Busbas” Thirakot, an online clothing vendor from northern Chiang Rai province, was handed 22 years jail time after an appeal court found more royal insult violations, adding to a 28-year sentence handed down by a criminal court last year.
A 30-year-old Thai man is facing a record 50 years in prison for royal insult from dozens of social media posts perceived to criticise the monarchy, his lawyer said, after an appeal court on Thursday added more jail time to his initial conviction.
Mongkol "Busbas" Thirakot, an online clothing vendor from northern Chiang Rai province, was handed 22 years jail time after an appeal court found more royal insult violations, adding to a 28-year sentence handed down by a criminal court last year.
Thailand's lese majeste law, one of the strictest in the world, protects the palace from criticism and carries a jail sentence of up to 15 years for each perceived violation, a punishment condemned by international human rights groups as extreme.
Mongkol was arrested in April 2021 and received a 28-year sentence last January for 14 violations of lese majeste. The appeal court confirmed his prior conviction and found him guilty of 11 more violations.
Thailand's lese majeste law, which protects King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his close family from criticism, is referred to as 112 after the relevant section of the criminal code.
"He faces 50 years jail, the longest in the history of article 112 cases," Theeraphon Khoomsap, Mongkol's lawyer told Reuters.
Theeraphon said Mongkol denies wrongdoing and will appeal his sentence to the Supreme Court.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh advocates embracing Buddhist doctrines for peaceful resolution of international conflicts at ASEAN conclave.
Human Rights Watch report details Saudi Crown Prince using wealth fund for rights abuses, including Khashoggi murder.
Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan granted bail in graft case, but remains in prison with multiple charges pending.
Australia’s communications minister introduced a world-first law into Parliament to ban children younger than 16 from social media.
Florida man arrested for plotting to bomb New York Stock Exchange to "reboot" U.S. government, detained for trial.
Apple asked a federal judge to dismiss the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust case against the iPhone maker.
The Sri Lankan parliamentary elections have, more or less, cleansed the 225-member Parliament, purging the country’s arrogant old guard
Trump appoints Whitaker as NATO ambassador despite lack of foreign policy experience, raising concerns about U.S. representation within alliance.
Trump appoints Whitaker as NATO ambassador despite lack of foreign policy experience, raising concerns about U.S. representation within alliance.
U.N. Security Council votes 14-1 for ceasefire resolution, U.S. veto prevents adoption due to hostage release demand.
Bangladesh interim government cancels passports of 22 security officials under investigation for abductions during previous presidency.