A former doctor and his three associates in Thailand's southern border province of Narathiwat, who were acquitted from a charge of suspected members of the Jemaah Islamiya (JI) Islamic extremist group, were released on Friday, according to local newspaper Asia News Time Sunday.

The Appeal Court allowed the defendants to be released on bails, worth 7 million baht (175,000 US dollars) totally.

The former doctor, known as Dr. Vamahadee Vadao, of Narathiwat Rajanagarin Hospital, and his three associates were acquitted by the Supreme Court last Wednesday due to insufficient evidence.

However, their detention had continued until the plaintiff's appeal process was completed, as ordered by the court, said the report.

The defendants were arrested by Thai security officers and were accused by public prosecutors of having involved in illegal JI activities masterminded from abroad.

Source: Xinhua