12 years and 5 months after the crime, a military court in Pattani Province has sentenced 8 soldiers for beating to death Wichian Puaksom, a 26-year-old private.

<p>On 30 September, the 46th Military Circle Court accepted a case of misconduct and unintentional killing against 9 soldiers who beat to death Wichian Puaksom, a newly enlisted private, in Narathiwat province, according to the Cross Cultural Foundation (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CrCF.Thailand/photos/a.417098988337393/4376692165711369/">CrCF</a>).</p>

<p>She would not let the death of her uncle be forgotten as insignificant and has braved legal, physical and psychological threats in her fight against military-backed torture. Prachatai introduces Naritsarawan ‘May’ Keawnopparat, our Person of the Year 2016. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p></p>

<div> <div>The outspoken niece of a draftee who was tortured to death has been indicted under the controversial Computer Crime Act for revealing information about torture in military camps.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>On 22 September 2016, Prosecutor Rati Cholamyai indicted Naritsarawan Keawnopparat under the Computer Crime Act for disseminating information deemed defamatory to the Royal Thai Army, according to the Cross Cultural Foundation.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Naritsarawan is the niece of Wichian Puaksom, a military conscript who was tortured to death by other soldiers in 2011. </div></div>

<div> <div>The arrest of a woman who publicly spoke out against the military over her relative who was tortured to death by the army clearly exposes the difficulties faced by the families of torture victims, as outlined in a Human Rights Watch statement.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>On 27 July 2016, Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a statement saying that “Thai authorities should drop trumped-up criminal proceedings” against Naritsarawan Kaewnoppart, who was arrested for publishing the details of her uncle, conscripted Private Wichian Puaksom, who was tortured to death in a military camp in </div></div>

<p>The Thai police have arrested the niece of a soldier who was tortured to death in the Deep South of Thailand after the authorities accused her of defaming the military. &nbsp;</p> <p>Three police officers from Makkasan Police Station, Bangkok, on Tuesday morning, 26 July 2016, arrested Naritsarawan Kaewnopparat, the niece of <a href="http://prachatai.org/english/node/5524">Wichian Puaksom</a>, a military conscript who was tortured to death by other soldiers in 2011.</p> <p>She was arrested at her workplace in Bangkok and is currently in custody at Makkasan Police Station.</p>