Two foreigners indicted for protests

[Flashermac]

Bangkok Post

9 July 2010

 

 

Red shirt Brit pleads guilty, court releases him from jail

 

 

A British red shirt supporter has been released after pleading guilty to taking part in anti-government protests and will be deported to Britain.

 

The Pathumwan District Court on Thursday handed down a 45-day jail sentence to Jeff Savage after he confessed to violating the emergency decree during the red shirt protests in Bangkok in May.

 

The public prosecutor indicted Savage and Australian David Purcell for violating the emergency rule, which bans the gathering of more than five people and activities that could cause unrest in areas where the decree is in effect.

 

Savage initially received a 90-day sentence but judge Yutthana Sawaisuwanwong said it would be halved because he had pleaded guilty, was not Thai and had no political stake in the protests.

 

Savage has already served time in jail and could be released immediately, the judge said.

 

[color:red]Savage broke down and cried after hearing the verdict.

 

"It's a miracle," he said.

 

"I am surprised. There is justice in Thailand. I want justice for all - the dead, red shirts and even yellow shirts."[/color]

 

Savage will be deported to Britain, but first he will be taken to the Immigration Police and detained for at least four working days, his lawyer, Prachaya Vijitpokin, said. The British embassy will work with Immigration Police to arrange for his return to Britain.

 

Mr Purcell yesterday denied the charge against him and the court will reconvene on Sept 5 to hear more witnesses from the prosecution.

 

 

 

Rink

[Boo Radley]

Came across this short clip of Savage leaving court after being released today.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Jeff-Savage-Plaeds-Guilty-Over-Thailand-Anti-Government-Riots/Video/201007215661284?lpos=World+News_4&lid=VIDEO_017689_Thai+Riots+Brit+Pleads+Guilty&videoCategory=World+News

 

Don't think that is a clip of yesterday. It looks more like when they brought him to court for indicment last month.

TH

The clip is dated Jul 8th' date=' the day of his release, he's heard to say "I've pleaded guilty" and it's captioned:

[i']Thai Riots Brit Pleads Guilty

A British man charged for his part in Thailand's anti-government riots has been freed and ordered to be deported after pleading guilty. Jeff Savage said he changed his plea because he did not think he would get a fair trial.[/i]

Also, the guard escorting him is the same as that pictured in flashermac's BKK Post picture of Jul 9th.

If it's from an earlier date, must be from a parallel universe.