A human rights lawyer currently serving time in prison on charges arising from his political activism has been given another 2 year prison term.
Anon Nampa, who is serving 2 previous jail terms in Bangkok Remand Prison, received the additional term after being found guilty on a charge of lèse majesté.
Thailand’s lèse majesté law, officially Section 112 of the Criminal Code, prohibits criticising or disrespecting the monarchy or any members of the Royal family. The Criminal Court has found Anon guilty of violating the law during a Harry Potter-themed protest at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on August 3, 2021.
This latest conviction, his third, means the lawyer and activist will spend a total of 10 years and 20 days in prison, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. The additional sentence comes as Amnesty International criticises Thailand for its “dismal” human rights record.
In addition to the lèse majesté offence, Anon was found guilty on multiple charges, including having more than 5 people gathering in a maximum control area (while Covid-19 restrictions were in place), violating an order issued by communicable disease control officials, and using a loudspeaker in public without permission.
He was found guilty on all charges and fined 100 baht (for use of the loudspeaker) in addition to back-to-back prison sentences.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
