Thai Court Sentences Australian Red-Shirt Supporter
An Australian man is in Thailand’s jails for his actions during the anti-government protests in May. He was sentenced to a jail term, released for time already served, and then quickly detained again for overstaying his visa.
An Australian man will remain in detention in Thailand, after a court sentenced him to jail time for his involvement in Thailand’s red-shirt movement.
Conor Purcell was escorted to court Friday morning in Bangkok where he has been detained since the end of political unrest in May.
He was detained on accusations of violating emergency laws imposed by the Thai government during the red shirts’ protest.
On Friday, the municipal court sentenced Purcell to 45 days prison after he pled guilty to the charges. But because Purcell had been in detention since the end of political protests, the judge released him for time already served.
He was then quickly detained on charges he overstayed his visa.
On his arrival in court Purcell shouted furiously at the unfairness of his treatment.
[Conor Purcell, Australian National]:
“They are breaking their own criminal procedure code in every stage. Detention was extended without accusation and without charge for five times. Illegal arrest, illegal detention.”
Purcell will remain in detention pending a decision on whether immigration officials will deport him or not.
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