Thai court delays "red-shirt" bail request

Thailand's Criminal Court on Wednesday delayed its decision whether to grant temporary release for "red shirt" core leader Veera Musigapong, the Nation online reported.

The court's postponement to Thursday was decided after Veera's lawyer and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) failed to bring witnesses to testify in the trial.

Veera's lawyer posted a cheque of three million baht (93,138 U. S. dollars) for the request to free Veera on bail.

According to a report by the Bangkok Post's website, the Justice Ministry's DSI has asked the court to reject the appeal, reasoning that Veera, if released, could meddle with evidence or escape.

Veera has been charged with terrorism under Article 135/1-3 of the Criminal Code in connection with violence during the anti- government "red shirt" protests between May-April.

Veera and several other anti-government leaders having been accused on the same charges have been detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

The death toll from a series of violent clashes between the "red-shirt" protestors and troops during March 12 to May 19 in central Bangkok stood at 88 as some 1,885 others were wounded.

Source: Xinhua