Libel suit against PAD is a political tactic : Somkiart
One of the People's Alliance for Democracy leaders, Somkiart Pongpaiboon, on Tuesday said malicious law enforcement was the real reason he had not reported to police for questioning about allegations that the PAD was looking to overthrow democratic rule.
"The real motive for charging members of the PAD is to draw them away from the anti-Thaksin campaign," said Somkiart. Five PAD leaders, including Somkiart, have defied every police summon issued for them and are prepared to fight if court sanctioned arrest warrants are issued against them, he said. Somkiart and other PAD leaders have been targeted in a number of police investigations. Among the high profile cases include a lese majesty charge against antiThaksin campaigner Sondhi Limthongkul and his alleged campaign against democracy. Acting on a complaint filed by activist Chalart Worachat last month, police launched criminal proceedings against Somkiart and the PAD on suspicion of a conspiracy to undermine democracy. Last week, the Metropolitan Police Bureau issued summonses against five PAD leaders, Somkiart, Sondhi, Chamlong Srimuang, Somsak Kosaisuk and Pipop Thongchai. Police want to question the five about their activities. Should police recommend prosecution, the five may face treason charges. Somkiart said the police were malicious in their campaign to charge PAD leaders. "Police and some provincial governors comprise the last bastion of the Thaksin regime in their fight to cling to power," he said. He said he was the target of some 30 criminal cases while Sondhi was facing more than 80 police probes. The Nation
|
