Red-shirt leader, Arisman again denied bail

Red-shirt leader, Arisman again denied bail

Bangkok Post, December 19, 2011

The Criminal Court on Monday rejected red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong's second bail request, reasoning that there is no new reason to overturn its previous decision.

Mr Arisman's lawyers submitted on Dec 14 that he fled arrest 18 months ago for fear of his safety and that he pledged not to escape or resume street protests now he had finally surrendered.

The court said that during the Thursday hearing last week only Mr Arisman and his wife Rapipan Pongruangrong were present to give their statements. They presented no new evidence to show that the defendant would not flee again if granted bail.

Mr Arisman surrendered on Dec 6 to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to hear terrorism and other charges after 18 months on the run and applied for bail, offering 1.2 million baht surety.

On Dec 7 the court rejected his bail request, reasoning that the defendant had long fled arrest and he could jump bail and flee again.

His lawyer on Dec 13 filed another request for his client's release, only to be rejected again today.

Mrs Rapipan and a number of Pheu Thai MPs as well as some red shirts showed up at the court today to give Mr Arisman support.

Mr Arisman was taken back to Bangkok Remand Prison for further detention after the court handed down its decision.