THE Constitutional Court ruled that both former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat as the first defendant and the party itself as the second defendant had attempted to “overthrow democratic system with His Majesty the King as Head of State” based on the party’s platform to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, Matichon newspaper said today (Jan. 31).
The court ordered Pita and the party to stop this action and stop speaking, writing or communicating by other means on repealing or amending Section 112.
Move Forward had set up a war room at Parliament to hear the Constitutional Court’s verdict on this case which had been filed by Mr. Teerayut Suwankasorn, former lawyer for Phra Buddha Isara, an activist monk who was one of the leaders of the Shutdown Bangkok protests that led to the 2014 coup. He was later defrocked and is now known as Suvit Thongprasert.
Pita, who arrived with party leader Chaithawat Tulathon at 1.40 p.m., said he was “not worried and still confident” but would like to hear the verdict first with there to be an announcement after that.
He added that he had made preparations but could not say anything until the verdict was out but is confident of his innocence.
Some supporters wearing orange-colour shirts and displaying the Move Forward logo managed to get within the Constitutional Court building where they brandished placards despite the tight security.
However police and security guards persuaded them to move out to a spot arranged for them to gather.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: Former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, left, and current party leader Chaithawat Tulathon at the party’s war room.
Insert: Move Forward supporters outside the Constitutional Court building. Both photos: Matichon
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