Thai editor free after 7 years in jail for 2 articles

Published April 30, 2018

The editor of a political magazine who was convicted of insulting Thailand's monarchy has said on his release from prison that he will join public demonstrations to call for elections and an end to military rule.

Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, a labor activist, was detained in 2011 for publishing two pseudonymous articles in his now-defunct Voice of Thaksin magazine, which he launched in 2009 to provide news to supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup.

His arrest drew attention to suppression of freedom of expression in Thailand, as well as to the lese majeste law under which he was convicted. Critics charge it is often used as a political weapon by the government against opponents, and the current military regime has frequently employed it.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/world/thai-editor-free-after-7-years-in-jail-for-2-articles