Arisman's Bail Plea Rejected: Thailand

[webfact]

Arisman's bail plea rejected

THE NATION

Court not sure if he would flee again; red-shirt leader says he fears for his life and might not live in Thailand on permanent basis

The Criminal Court yesterday denied bail to red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong, who surrendered yesterday to face five terrorism-related charges in connection with the political conflicts in 2009 and 2010.

The court said that Arisman, who was on the run for more than a year, could not sufficiently convince it that he would not flee again after temporary release. It added that there was a court-issued arrest warrant for him in connection with separate defamation cases.

One of the red-shirt movement's militant leaders, Arisman had been at large after he managed to slip through police checkpoints in May last year, in the wake of riots by red-shirt protesters after their leaders ended a months-long anti-government rally abruptly. About 90 people were killed during the red shirts' rally, including protesters, passers-by and soldiers.

Arisman's lawyer, Wasuthep Srisoda, said his legal team would apply for his temporary release again today and offer to increase the bail amount from Bt1.2 million to Bt2 million.

After the court's rejection of his bail application, Arisman was taken to Bangkok Special Prison. Some red-shirt supporters who were in the court to offer him moral support wept on hearing the news.

Meanwhile, another red-shirt leader, Jatuporn Promphan, said yesterday that he and his group would try to secure temporary release for Arisman.

Earlier yesterday, Arisman reported himself to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to face charges related to the disruption of the Asean Summit in 2009 by red-shirt protesters and violence during the red-shirt protest in April-May 2010.

He denied all the charges and |said he intended to appeal, adding that the charges were too severe and did not reflect his actions at that time.

The DSI then sent Arisman to the Office of the Attorney-General to decide whether he should be granted bail. Arisman met with DSI chief Tarit Pengdit yesterday morning and greeted him with a prostration. He was then fingerprinted and had his record noted down.

Arisman later told the media that he had confidence in the judicial system and for his safety. He also thanked the media for giving him extensive coverage and for "spreading the truth about the [red shirts'] demand for democracy".

The former pop singer said the red shirts had no intention to overthrow anyone, after being accused by their opponents of being anti-monarchy. He added, however, that there had been attempts to abduct and harm him, which was too much.

Arisman said he no longer saw the point of the red shirts staging any mass protest as "50 per cent" of what they demanded had now been achieved. He said it is up to the administration of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to bring about reconciliation.

Among the five charges he faces are: trespassing into the Parliament without permission; disarming and taking into possession firearms from soldiers; and using a gun to force a police officer to obey his order.

Asked whether he was in Cambodia while a fugitive, Arisman said he had been hiding in various places, and not just Cambodia. Asked whether he had talked with convicted and fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Arisman said not yet.

A number of red shirts showed up to offer moral support to Arisman, some carrying a bouquet of red roses, while others hugged the former singer.

Although the mass media were critical of Thaksin and the red shirts and often depicted Arisman as a violent man, Arisman insisted yesterday that he was in fact a "gentle" person. He added that he might not stay in Thailand on a permanent basis as "life is no longer the same" with some people wanting to abduct and kill him.

He urged Yingluck to respond to all political demands by the red-shirt movement. These include amending or abolishing the 2007 junta-sponsored constitution and undoing legal actions by the military junta that staged the 2006 coup against Thaksin.

-- The Nation 2011-12-08

[webfact]

Court rejects fugitive Red Shirt firebrand’s bail bid

BANGKOK, Dec 8 - Thailand's Criminal Court on Wednesday rejected a bail bid from fugitive Red Shirt activist Arisman Pongruangrong, citing concern over his possible flight after he had been at large for a long period of time, while the firebrand protest leader's lawyer said he would appeal the court decision on Thursday.

The court decision came as Mr Arisman, a key leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), submitted his request for bail with a Bt1.2 million bail bond after surrendering to the Department of Special investigation (DSI) Wednesday morning.

Mr Arisman was at large for over a year after a warrant was issue for his arrest on terrorism charges in connection with alleged violence in the Red Shirt street protests.

An entertainer-turned-political activist, Mr Arisman was sent to Bangkok Remand Prison immediately after the court order.

His lawyer said he would submit a new bail request to the court on Thursday and would increase the amount of the bail bond to Bt2 million.

The court’s rejection was announced by Winai Damrongmongkolkul, director-general of the Department of Special Cases in the Office of the Attorney-General, who earlier had said he would not oppose Mr Arisman's bail bid as the accused had voluntarily turned himself in to the authorities.

The prosecutor earlier charged Mr Arisman with terrorism-related charges, along with another 18 Red Shirt leaders, including fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, for instigating the crowd to move towards chaos and violence to topple the then Abhisit Vejjajiva government during Feb-May, 2010.

Mr Arisman however denied all charges and pledged to fight the cases.

The court set witnesses and evidence verification for Feb 6, 2012 at 1.30pm.

Earlier, the singer-turned-activist told the media as he surrendered that he decided to turn himself in to police as the political situation has eased and the new government is working towards national reconciliation.

Mr Arisman said he fled the country last year as he was not confident in the judicial process at that time after armed security personnel stormed into the suburban SC Park Hotel where he was staying last year, an action which he described as "overacting".

The charismatic entertainer said he would not file countercharges against the authorities as he adheres to the principle of practicing forgiveness and not taking revenge.

The protest leader said before the court decision that he was not worried as to whether he will be released on bail or not, but said that as he is confident in the justice process under the current government, he will fight the charges within Thailand even though the court may eventually reject his bail request.

DSI Director-General Tharit Pengdit said Mr Arisman would receive fair treatment in the cases he faces and that the department has no objection to his making bail.

In a related development, the Democrat Party's Songkhla MP Sirichok Sopha said he telephoned and faxed a court order to the Metropolitan Police Bureau Chief, requesting the agency to detain Mr Arisman and transfer him to Songkhla provincial court.

Mr Sirichok said he filed libel charges against Mr Arisman in a Songkhla court as Mr Arisman accused him of interfering in the annual police reshuffle in 2010.

It could be considered negligence of duty if the police do not detain Mr Arisman, he said, adding that the Red Shirt core member has eight or nine outstanding arrest warrants.

An arrest warrant was issued for Mr Arisman for the 2009 case in which he led protesters to raid the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Hotel in Pattaya, venue of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. The incident forced an abrupt end to the key regional meeting and tarnished the country's image.

Other charges included his role in leading Red Shirt protesters to storm parliament last year, a raid at the Thaicom satellite station in Pathum Thani province and terrorism charges involving clashes between security forces and Red Shirt protesters in the April-May protest last year.

Mr Arisman is believed to have fled to Cambodia after disappearing from the Red Shirt rally at Ratchaprasong in 2010 when security forces were retaking the protest site in the heart of the city’s business and shopping zone. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-12-08

[Buchholz]

red-shirt leader says he fears for his life

It's best for him then that his imprisonment can double as protective custody.

.

[Buchholz]

he would not file countercharges against the authorities

His benevolent magnanimous nature is coming to the forefront.

the Red Shirt core member has eight or nine outstanding arrest warrants.

He's running neck and neck in the Outstanding Arrest Warrant Olympics with the competitor from Dubai.

.

[frodo]

From the O/P

The prosecutor earlier charged Mr Arisman with terrorism-related charges, along with another 18 Red Shirt leaders, including fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, for instigating the crowd to move towards chaos and violence to topple the then Abhisit Vejjajiva government during Feb-May, 2010.

Among the five charges he faces are: trespassing into the Parliament without permission; disarming and taking into possession firearms from soldiers; and using a gun to force a police officer to obey his order.

Arisman insisted yesterday that he was in fact a "gentle" person. He added that he might not stay in Thailand on a permanent basis as "life is no longer the same" with some people wanting to abduct and kill him.

Gentle people don't hold police officers at gunpoint and force them to obey their orders. Gentle people don't storm into buildings holding people as hostage, not even for a second. Gentle people don't instigate violence through their speeches; petrol anyone?

The other online news reports Korkaew and the reds wailing and bemoaning about Arisman being jailed. Given his violent nature and Arisman all but admitting he is a genuine flight risk, "He added that he might not stay in Thailand on a permanent basis," it's obvious that this whole thing is still an "us versus them", and not about justice or reconciliation.

[Nisa]

Wow, I am shocked. I was certain there was a bail deal in place before he turned himself in. Maybe this is all a game and he'll get bail Thursday. Something seems very odd that he would turn himself in now if nothing has changed in terms of his going to have to stay behind bars for a while.

[mca]

"Regrets.........I've had a few.....But then again......Too few to mention....."

[OzMick]

The wheels of justice are slow, but grind exceedingly fine. Jatuporn coming soon(?), but the ultimate goal is ALL these red terrorists jailed for the term of their natural - WITH their paymaster.

[rixalex]

Would have been ridiculous to grant him bail, but i think most expected his lawyers had made that an under the table condition of turning himself in.

That the courts didn't is a good sign, but one fears possibly a false one. Time will tell how strong the justice system is.

[webfact]

Court Rejects Bail for Red-shirt Leader Arisman

The Criminal Court refused to bail out red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong, fearing that he might run away again if he is granted a temporary release.

The Criminal Court rejected the bail request of red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong, who is charged with terrorism in connection with last year's anti-government protests.

The Court reasoned that Arisman has avoided arrest for a long period of time, and he may run away again if given a temporary release.

The 47-year-old red-shirt leader was ordered to be detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

His attorney will submit an appeal against the court's order today and post a higher bail amount of two million baht.

Arisman earlier turned himself in to police and was brought before the Criminal Court.

He denied all charges against him and applied for bail, offering 1.2 million baht in cash as a guarantee.

Arisman claimed that he took refuge abroad for nearly a year because he did not trust the judicial system at that time.

He said he decided to surrender because the situation became less intense, and the current administration is committed to promoting national reconciliation.

The red-shirt leader added that he is not hoping to be given to any political position on his return.

Meanwhile, the Court scheduled an examination of the evidence for February 6 of next year.

Director-General of the Office of Attorney-General's Special Case Division, Winai Dumrongmongkolkul, affirmed that prosecutors will handle the case with due fairness and they have yet to bring former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to trial.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-08

[beano2274]

The next bail application should also fail after reading his comments that he does not feel safe in Thailand, obviously if released on bail he is gonna do another runner. And 2 million is not a lot of money to lose.

[ratcatcher]

You know that it would be untrue.

You know that I would be a liar if I was to say to you , ay,

Girl we couldn't get much higher.

Come on baby light my fire, come on baby light my fire.

Try to set the night on fire. Mm-m,

(Doors 1966)

[Thaddeus]

"Regrets.........I've had a few.....But then again......Too few to mention....."

Quality

"I did it .... Thai way"

[webfact]

Spokesperson for Attorney-General's Office asks red-shirt supports to accept court's decision to deny bail for their leader Arisman /TANN

[webfact]

Red-shirt leader Arisman said to be stressed during 1st night in jail,unable to eat or sleep;his lawyer will appeal for bail again next week /TANN

[Buchholz]

Red-shirt leader Arisman said to be stressed during 1st night in jail,unable to eat

ahhh, good to hear he's already signed up for the "Program" on his first day.

It'll be interesting to see how his bail being refused is received by the Red Shirts.

Maybe they will surprise us and look on the positive side and view his incarceration as something very beneficial for Arisaman, who more so than others really does need to avail himself of the benefits derived from the well-regarded Bangkok Remand Prison Obesity Reduction Program that fellow Red Shirt Leader Natthawut enjoyed during his nine month imprisonment:

.

Edited December 8, 2011 by Buchholz

[Oberkommando]

Red-shirt leader Arisman said to be stressed during 1st night in jail,unable to eat or sleep;his lawyer will appeal for bail again next week /TANN

Big tough guy huh.

[rixalex]

Red-shirt leader Arisman said to be stressed during 1st night in jail,unable to eat or sleep;his lawyer will appeal for bail again next week /TANN

Are we really to believe that he has not been afforded any special privileges in terms of eating and sleeping? I have my doubts. Yet one night in and he's crying like a baby. Perhaps he should now belatedly spare a thought for all the red shirts who were camping on the streets during the protests, whilst he slept soundly in his air-conditioned hotel room.

[GentlemanJim]

Excellent!

I wonder if PTP will now try and do the dirty on all their hired trouble makers. Now that they have 'Mission Accomplished' people like Arisman and Jutoporn are no longer required and the longer they stay around and associate themselves with the current Government the longer they will continue to cause hassle for the Government both on the domestic and world stage. Yingluck and her cronies cannot afford to be associated with people considered as terrorists and also possibly guilty of LM. I think the only sun tan Arisman will be getting anytime soon will be a stripey one

[EyesWideOpen]

Am I in some sort of parallel Thai universe??? This is from the first story that ran on TV a couple of days ago.

Arisman was accompanied by his lawyers when he arrived at the court yesterday afternoon. He was later granted temporary release with a bail of Bt2 million, according to the source.

Now suddenly he is actually in jail?? Guess the government came to their senses and decided that granting bail to someone who has been on the run for a year was a bad idea. Or maybe the public outcry was too much.....

[whybother]

Am I in some sort of parallel Thai universe??? This is from the first story that ran on TV a couple of days ago.

Arisman was accompanied by his lawyers when he arrived at the court yesterday afternoon. He was later granted temporary release with a bail of Bt2 million, according to the source.

Now suddenly he is actually in jail?? Guess the government came to their senses and decided that granting bail to someone who has been on the run for a year was a bad idea. Or maybe the public outcry was too much.....

He went to Pattaya first to hear charges for storming the ASEAN summit where he was granted bail. Then he reported to DSI in Bangkok for last years ruckus and wasn't granted bail.

[webfact]

Arisman to be moved to new facility

The Nation

The Corrections Department will move some 100 remand prisoners to the Laksi holding centre, a new facility designed to detain the red shirts and others facing politically-related charges, director general Suchart Wongananchai said on Thursday.

"The 100 will include red leader Arisman Pongruangrong," he said in reference to the fugitive who surrendered but being held in remand pending trial on terrorism charges.

Suchart said the holding centre will be inaugurated on December 20 and the red shirts held in remand would move in on the following day.

The separation of the red shirts from the regular remand population is being implemented in accordance with the report from the Truth for Reconciliation Commission, he said.

The holding centre, located at Bangkok's Lak Si, was previously served as an installation of the Border Patrol Police. Under an agreement with the Justice Ministry, police agreed to turn over the site for temporary holding facility for those under remand due to their political struggle.

-- The Nation 2011-12-08

[hyperdimension]

It sounds like the new "facility" is a comfortable hotel especially made for the government's supporters.

[hyperdimension]

Perhaps he should now belatedly spare a thought for all the red shirts who were camping on the streets during the protests, whilst he slept soundly in his air-conditioned hotel room.

... in a hotel owned by the Shinawatra clan - SC Park.

Now he is moving to a new "holding center" hotel with a bunch of his friends.

[KRS1]

"Are you sure about this ? ...Don't worry there's a cop down there on our side"

" Look at me, I'm repelling from a hotel balcony because I'm innocent ..."

"dam_n where's that cop....oh he's taking a picture" to my left..."

Edited December 8, 2011 by KRS1

[Thaddeus]

Arisman to be moved to new facility

The Nation

The Corrections Department will move some 100 remand prisoners to the Laksi holding centre, a new facility designed to detain the red shirts and others facing politically-related charges, director general Suchart Wongananchai said on Thursday.

-- The Nation 2011-12-08

Yes of course, that's the best thing to do, put them all in the same place.

Colditz anyone.

[Buchholz]

Red-shirt leader Arisman said to be stressed during 1st night in jail,unable to eat

ahhh, good to hear he's already signed up for the "Program" on his first day.

It'll be interesting to see how his bail being refused is received by the Red Shirts.

Maybe they will surprise us and look on the positive side and view his incarceration as something very beneficial for Arisaman, who more so than others really does need to avail himself of the benefits derived from the well-regarded Bangkok Remand Prison Obesity Reduction Program that fellow Red Shirt Leader Natthawut enjoyed during his nine month imprisonment:

tsk...tsk... there goes his obesity reduction. He'll get even fatter now.

Arisman to be moved to new facility

[Buchholz]

a new facility designed to detain the red shirts

the dreaded double standards they were supposedly fighting against

.

[drdoom6996]

From the O/P

The prosecutor earlier charged Mr Arisman with terrorism-related charges, along with another 18 Red Shirt leaders, including fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, for instigating the crowd to move towards chaos and violence to topple the then Abhisit Vejjajiva government during Feb-May, 2010.

Among the five charges he faces are: trespassing into the Parliament without permission; disarming and taking into possession firearms from soldiers; and using a gun to force a police officer to obey his order.

Arisman insisted yesterday that he was in fact a "gentle" person. He added that he might not stay in Thailand on a permanent basis as "life is no longer the same" with some people wanting to abduct and kill him.

Gentle people don't hold police officers at gunpoint and force them to obey their orders. Gentle people don't storm into buildings holding people as hostage, not even for a second. Gentle people don't instigate violence through their speeches; petrol anyone?

The other online news reports Korkaew and the reds wailing and bemoaning about Arisman being jailed. Given his violent nature and Arisman all but admitting he is a genuine flight risk, "He added that he might not stay in Thailand on a permanent basis," it's obvious that this whole thing is still an "us versus them", and not about justice or reconciliation.

Yeah right, GENTLE until he has a GUN. Then lookout

[Arkady]

I think the bail denial is for just for show. He will likely be freed on appeal within a few weeks. Thailand has the best justice system money can buy.